Super Soph Rotante Keeps Eyes on Goal

By Chris Dailey

     Wall High School’s ice hockey team came into the season with tons of uncertainty and questions about its ability to win games loomed. The Crimson Knights puck crew, against all odds, hoisted a division title and had an amazing season.    
     After star players from the last few years left the program, including the goal-scoring forward Pat Demarnis, who is playing junior hockey, and goaltender Myles McGovern, who is playing for the U.S. National Development team, the Knights were unsure what the future was for them.
    Left with many question marks and big shoes to fill, Wall head coach Mike Dianora had a lot to figure out coming into the 2021-22 season. The younger team mixed with veteran players such as seniors Luca Infozino and Jaxon Hook weren’t seen as a top team coming into the season, however, one underclassman who found his way into a starting position propelled Wall (12-7, 5-1) into the top spot in the Shore Conference Central division.
    Super sophomore Ethan Rotante has quickly established himself as one of the elite goaltenders in the conference and boasted a total of 552 saves and 30.7 saves per game throughout the season. The goalie even managed to tally an assist for the Knights. 
    Rotante has stood head over heels, and the Wall team, which lacked an elite offensive production, was carried by its sensational goaltender.
    “I started off playing well and, since then, I’ve had my ins and outs,” Rotante said. “I worked on cutting any mistakes out of my game.”
       Even Rotante’s teammates, such as sophomore standout defenseman Carter Jolly, know the value that he brings to the team.
       “He was a key factor in our success,” said Jolly about Rotante’s play this year. “When he is on, there’s no one better than him.”
     Wall won the division title and gave the Shore Conference something to be afraid of for the next few years. The superstar between the sticks in Rotante combined with Jolly and freshmen Emmet Auch, Mikey Hoarle and James Byrne, shape up a very exciting team for the future. 
     Rotante, who has been playing hockey nearly his whole life, is ready for their next season after bowing out of states earlier than they hoped for.
     “It was a great season, Rotante said, “it went well. Didn’t go the way we wanted in the end, but that’s just something to work towards next year. We had a great team and kids this year.”
     Rotante will be sure to do everything in his power to bring home a state championship to Wall before his time is up and, if he keeps playing the way he does as a sophomore, it’s likely that could come true before long.