Another hot hockey season comes to an end

PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN Top left: Local kids enjoy an evening of scoring goals at the Roosevelt Recreation Department's youth hockey program. Top right: Goalie Lucas Carnevale, 12, makes a kick save on a shot by 9-year-old Sean Curry. Bottom: Benjamin Donnelly-Fine, 9, and John Buttry, 10, battle over a loose puck in front of the goal. ROOSEVELT - Monday nights in the Roosevelt Public School gym just won't be the same.

The group of local youths whose gusto has been going to the goals from 7:30-9:30 p.m. will have to wait until November to get more shots off as another year of Roosevelt's successful youth hockey program comes to a close.

"We'll run the program for another couple of weeks," Recreation Department Director Eric Schubiger said. "What happens is the kids start playing baseball and other outdoor sports and hockey participation starts to dwindle."

Schubiger oversees the program with the help of supervisors and residents Bruce Reimbold and Margaret Schlinski. The program, now in its fourth year, helps teach elementary school-aged students how to work as a team and emphasizes physical fitness, according to Schubiger.

"Students have the opportunity to participate in an activity that almost anyone can pick up pretty quickly," he said. "Hockey promotes healthy competition and a good physical work out for the kids."

Schubiger also said that the co-ed program encourages boys and girls to compete against each other.

"I find that parents like the program because of that," he said. "Many families have brothers and sisters and they can come to hockey together. We have a number of siblings that play against one another."

The free program requires registration but is open, meaning that students who have signed up can attend a hockey night whenever they can or would like to.

"I think everyone who currently plays except for two kids live in Roosevelt," Schubiger said. "On a typical night we have about 25 children out there."

To continue the community youth fun during the hockey hiatus, Schubiger said the borough may look into creating a kickball or soccer program.

The recreation department is always seeking program ideas and volunteers. For more information or to help, call (609) 448-0539, ext. 3.