By Rob Forleo
Special to the Voice
On Jan. 10, the Edward L. Bennett Rink was filled with familiar faces, old stories, and a deep sense of pride as West Haven High School hockey celebrates 100 years of tradition and excellence. Alumni from across generations will return home as the Blue Devils took the ice against SCC rival North Haven, honoring a program that has meant far more than wins and losses for an entire community.
For a century, West Haven hockey has been woven into the fabric of the city. From early days of pond skating and packed crowds at the New Haven Coliseum, to championship seasons, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable moments on the ice, the Blue Devils have built one of the most storied programs in Connecticut.
The success of West Haven hockey has always been driven by pride in the jersey, loyalty to the program, and the families who have passed that passion down from one generation to the next.
That sense of identity continues to resonate across generations. Superintendent of West Haven Public Schools Neil Cavallaro describes it simply.
“West Haven is a hockey town. Growing up here, there was always a great feeling of pride in our high school team. Expectations were always high, and you went into a season thinking that anything less than a state championship was a failure.”
He recalls sold out nights at the New Haven Coliseum for West Haven versus Hamden matchups, when anticipation filled the schools and the atmosphere felt as big as the Super Bowl.
“That is all we talked about,” he said.
As the program celebrates this historic milestone, it offers a moment to look back at where West Haven hockey began, how it grew into a powerhouse, and how it continues to evolve today. While the game has changed over time, the connection between past and present remains strong.
“What I am amazed at is the way our alumni still support the team,” Cavallaro added, “reminding today’s players what it means to be part of such a tradition, and the privilege it is to wear a Blue Devils sweater.”
This centennial celebration is not just about honoring the past, but recognizing the people, pride, and community that continue to define West Haven High School hockey.
The Early Years
Hockey in West Haven began more than a century ago. In the early 1900s, players skated and played on frozen ponds and natural ice around the city. These informal games introduced the sport to the community long before a formal high school program was established.
When the New Haven Arena opened in 1927, it provided indoor ice and allowed organized high school hockey to grow in the region. West Haven was among the schools that competed there, playing alongside other programs that were forming teams and schedules.
During this early period, West Haven achieved notable success in state competition. The Blue Devils captured their first CIAC state championship in 1949, defeating Hillhouse High School of New Haven 6–1. This was the first of nine state championships in the program’s history. West Haven would go on to be recognized as champions in 1951 and later won titles in 1961 and 1964.
A New Era
After many years of playing most games at the New Haven Arena, West Haven hockey finally gained a permanent home with the opening of Edward L. Bennett Rink in 1969. The rink provided a place for the high school team to practice and host games within the city, giving players and families a consistent place to gather and support the program.
The rink was named after Edward L. Bennett, a West Haven native who graduated from West Haven High School in 1926. He was active in local sports as a student and returned to the community to serve in a variety of roles, including teacher, coach, school principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent of schools.
Bennett was closely connected to West Haven athletics, particularly hockey. He coached the West Haven High School hockey team in the 1940s and led the Blue Devils to their first state championship in 1949. Community members credit him with advancing hockey in the city and helping push for a local rink that would eventually carry his name.
Over the decades, Bennett Rink has become a central part of West Haven hockey culture. It is a popular favorite among players, coaches, and fans, praised for its history, atmosphere, sightlines, cleanliness, and well-maintained ice.
Generations of players have trained and competed there, forming lasting connections with teammates, coaches, and fans. West Haven also hosted teams from Finland and Sweden at Bennett Rink each year and were invited to play games in Helsinki and a tournament against teams from Sweden, Finland, and the U.S. in Stockholm at the conclusion of the 1976 season.
Although Bennett Rink was and remains a beloved place to watch a game, from the late 1970s through the 1990s, West Haven hockey teams occasionally played games at the New Haven Coliseum when larger crowds were expected.
The Coliseum, which opened in 1972 and could hold over 8,000 fans, hosted playoff games and high-interest matchups. West Haven often sold out the arena at full capacity, particularly for the annual matchup against Hamden, Connecticut’s oldest high school hockey rivalry, and other playoff games. West Haven won their last four state championships there in 1984, 1988, 1990, and 1994.
2000s and Beyond
After decades of success and strong traditions, West Haven hockey entered the new millennium facing both opportunities and challenges. While the Blue Devils did not capture any state championships during this period, the program remained a competitive force in Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC) play, regularly qualifying for playoffs and making deep runs in the postseason. West Haven was ranked #1 in the SCC in 2000, 2002, and 2010, demonstrating consistent strength even when no official SCC tournament was held.
The team maintained long-standing rivalries and continued to draw dedicated fans and alumni to support every season.
Notable playoff pushes included a 2002 semi-final loss to New Canaan in OT, a 2004 semi-final loss to Fairfield Prep in double OT, a 2012 semi-final loss to NDWH, and a 2017 semi-final loss to Ridgefield, where an underdog squad of 19 players embodied the motto “West Haven vs. Everyone.” These playoff games were held at Ingalls Rink, home of Yale hockey, where fans packed the arena to support the team.
In recent years, shifts in demographics and participation led the program to adapt. West Haven became a co-operative (co-op) team and moved to Division II, adjusting to changes in player availability while continuing to field a competitive team.
The program has thrived thanks to strong alumni support, especially through the Penalty Box Club, one of the state’s most dedicated booster organizations.
Today, it is led by Jeff Guarino, a former captain who continued his hockey career at Sacred Heart University. People like him, with deep roots in the program, understand what West Haven hockey stands for and carry that tradition forward with the next generation of players. Family runs deep, and through their efforts, the team has preserved its traditions, built new connections, and ensured the values and identity of West Haven hockey continue into the modern era.
Shaping the Program
West Haven hockey’s rich history is defined by the people who gave their time, talent, and passion to the program, often across generations. One name that cannot be separated from that story is Art Crouse. A former professional player in the 1950s, Crouse returned to West Haven and turned his experience into a coaching career that left a lasting impact. He led the Blue Devils from 1957 to 1989, guiding the team to five state championships (1961, 1964, 1977, 1984, 1988) and earning 409 career wins. In 1987, he was named National Coach of the Year. Crouse helped establish the culture of discipline, pride, and competitiveness that continues to define West Haven hockey. His contributions were later recognized with induction into the West Haven High School Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Connecticut High School Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024.
WHHS hockey is known for running deep within families, and the Coyle family spans five generations. Dave Coyle, a three-year player from 1974 to 1976, recalls that his great uncle, Matthew Coyle Sr., helped found the program and coached in the 1930s and 1940s. Dave’s father, Francis “Bunny” Coyle, played varsity from 1946 to 1949 and co-captained the team to West Haven’s first Connecticut state championship in 1949. He was later invited to New York Rangers training camp. Jack Coyle, Dave’s uncle, has been a cornerstone of West Haven hockey for five generations. Hired by the Bennett Rink Commission in 1969, he became the longtime steward of Bennett Rink, earning a reputation for maintaining some of the best ice in the state.
Jack never missed a WHHS hockey game and remains one of the program’s most devoted supporters. In recognition of his contributions, the annual jamboree is named in his honor, and he received the Tinker Blake Community Service Award during his 2024 induction into the WHHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
Following in the footsteps of those who built the program, Joe Morrell played for West Haven in the early 1980s, serving as team captain in his senior year. He later returned as head coach, leading the Blue Devils for 21 seasons and creating countless memories along the way, both as a player and a coach. Morrell’s favorite moments include scoring a game-winning goal in front of a sold-out New Haven Coliseum and coaching the team to a thrilling victory over Fairfield Prep in 2010.
Today, he continues to serve the community as West Haven High School’s athletic director, remaining closely connected to the program he helped shape.
Today, at the helm of the program is Steve Harris, who took over as head coach in 2019. Harris has led West Haven hockey during a period of change, as the landscape of high school hockey continues to evolve. In recent years, the program transitioned to a co-operative team and moved to Division II, adjustments driven by participation trends and the modern structure of the sport. Taking over in the 2019–20 season, Harris described the opportunity as both nervous and exciting, fully aware of the tradition tied to West Haven hockey. As the new head coach, he felt there was little that needed changing, instead focusing on building upon what already existed and making the experience better for the players.
Some of the highlights of Harris’s tenure include one of his favorite moments coming in his first year, when West Haven swept Hamden with two victories, a result that made his introduction as a Blue Devil especially memorable. He also guided what he considers his most talented team during the 2019–20 campaign, a season that was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More recently, Harris led the 2023–24 team to a second-place finish in the state, marking another high point for the program. The energy from the student section and the West Haven community was key to the team’s success. Playing in front of large, energetic crowds at Bennett Rink reinforced the atmosphere that has long made West Haven hockey special, something Harris believes every high school hockey player hopes to experience. Through these changes and milestones, Harris has worked to maintain the effort, accountability, and pride that define West Haven hockey, ensuring that even as the team adapts, its identity and values remain intact.
Together, these individuals and families reflect what has sustained West Haven hockey for a century. The program’s success has never been built by one person alone, but by generations who cared deeply about the jersey, the rink, and the community it represents.
West Haven Hockey Family
West Haven High School hockey has faced its share of tragedy over the years, losing cherished alumni such as Mike Greene, Rob Fumiatti, Donnie MacMillan, Paul Hotchkiss, Brian Dinneen, Bob Serenson, and Coach Mike Violano. Many others from the West Haven High School hockey community have also passed, and their memory remains a part of the program and the town. Through every loss, the West Haven hockey family has shown remarkable resilience and unity.
No family is stronger than the West Haven High School hockey alumni and supporters. When hard times strike, they come together to lift one another up, demonstrating the same teamwork and camaraderie that the Blue Devils show on the ice. At the same time, the program never forgets those who helped lay the foundation for its rich history. Honoring the past is a core part of the West Haven hockey tradition, whether through banners, ceremonies, or shared memories, and serves as a powerful reminder of the dedication and passion that have carried the program for a century.
Looking Ahead
From frozen ponds in the early 1900s to the sold-out stands of Bennett Rink, the New Haven Coliseum, Ingalls Rink, and many other arenas, West Haven hockey has grown into a program defined by excellence, resilience, and community. It has weathered tragedy, adapted to changes in the sport, and been guided by generations of families, coaches, and alumni who have cared deeply about every player, every game, and every tradition.
As West Haven High School hockey celebrates its centennial, it is clear that no legacy is greater than the community it has built. Every player, every coach, every supporter, and every family who has been part of this journey has contributed to a tradition that extends far beyond the ice.
On Jan. 10, Bennett Rink came alive with familiar faces, laughter, and stories from a century of hockey memories. Alumni and fans gathered to honor the past, celebrate the present, and reflect on the enduring spirit of West Haven High School hockey.