Cardinal Hockey Prom Salutes End of Season for Boys and Girls Cardinals

Coach Rurak gives the boys and girls hockey team their instructions before Thursday night’s scrimmage at Hamill Rink. March 16, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager

Cardinal Hockey Prom On Thursday night the Greenwich High School Boys and Girls Hockey teams united for a mixed scrimmage at Dorothy Hamill Rink in Byram.

The event, billed as the Cardinal Hockey Prom, came at the end of the hockey season. “It’s a hockey community and we share the passion for the game,” said head coach Chris Rurak, who planned the event with girls coach Alex Lerchen.

Rurak, who was assistant coach with head coach Bob Russel last year, took over as head coach this year.

The boys’ team finished the season with 9-10-1. They made it to the semi finals in FCIACS and were out after the first round of states.

“The boys and girls both had a great season and we’re coming together to share our passion for the sport,” Rurak said. “We’re bringing the two programs together and building friendships.”

GHS hockey alumni KC Cunningham and Ben Pratley served as referees.

Rurak, who grew up in Australia and moved with his family to Canada, arrived a year ago in Greenwich with his wife Jennifer and two sons. He said that his passion for hockey has always provided a welcoming community.

“Everywhere you go, you find the rink,” he said. “The hockey community is always welcoming with instant friends.

In Greenwich, Rurak said the Greenwich Skating Club has been very supportive of the GHS hockey program. “We do our video simulations at the club, and they give us extra ice and sharpening,” he said.

“The entire community has been welcoming and the kids are really great,” Rurak continued, adding that the Greenwich Blues, Condors and Panthers are also parts of the supportive hockey network in town.