By Dan Shine
Voice Columnist
West Haven Girls’ Hockey League
1972-1980
Part II
Bennett Rink, 1980: Maryellen DiBianco spotted the puck speeding toward the goal: Immediately, she leaped into its path, blocking the shot. The puck struck her in the face, breaking her jaw. She was rushed to the hospital, where her jaws were wired together to allow the bones to heal properly. In the days that followed, anything that she ate came to her through a straw.
In an athlete, talent, courage and tenacity must come from within, but winning skills must be taught and honed. The girls needed adult assistance and supervision, and training in the rules and the procedures of the game. They were taken under the wing of Bud Conlan–who managed the rink and endeared himself to every one of them–along with the efforts of Bill and Sue McCarty, Jim McGee and Charlie DeGross.
It was probably inevitable that William “Bud” Conlan would become an icon in the world of West Haven sports. Born on Grove Place, he spent countless hours playing an assortment of sports at Brennan Field. In fact, his first achievement was winning a horseshoe competition at five years old. As the years passed and he became a man, Bud Conlan continued to spend time at the same park, helping kids develop their skills in whatever game they were playing. He would organize baseball games in his back yard, and in the winters he would flood his yard, so that the neighborhood kids would have a place to skate.
In 1971, Bud Conlan was chosen to be the Director of Edward L. Bennett Rink: By then, he was well known as a player for West Haven Twilight League, a founder of Ray Tellier Midget Football League, and West Shore Baseball League. When the group of girls approached him with their idea of a girls’ hockey league, Bud Conlan endorsed their idea with enthusiasm, and made sure that they would be given the ice time that they so vitally needed if they were to succeed. To this day, Bud Conlan is warmly remembered by the girls—now women—who benefitted from his strong leadership.
The total roster for Conlan’s All Stars’ Coaches included the following: Bob Stearns, Bobby DePascale, Gary Lewis, Jerry Callibrito, Jim McGee, Keith Sweeney, Mike Adamo, Mike McGee, Pete Stephens, Tinker Blake. These were men who worked regular jobs, raised their families, and still found the time to teach their skills, provide a sense of community, and pass along their love of sports to children of the next generation. In fact, through all those years, the coaches taught a group of young girls the fundamentals which enabled them to become the best in the nation. Let us never forget their leadership.
-Thanks to Maryellen Launder, Keith Sweeney, Kathy Lenahan Hurley, Maureen McDaniel Celone, and Patty Yates Garcia for their guidance in the creation of this story.