Highland Park Giants

Highland Park Giants Hockey Association

N  E  W  S

Two Giants Selected to 2024 All-State Team

On Feb 3rd, two Highland Park Giants Varsity Hockey players were selected to the 2024 All-State Team.  Dylan Lansky, a forward and Ben Lichtenfeld, a defenseman, both juniors, have been honored by AHAI. They will participate in an All State Game on March 9th at 5:00 PM at Fifth Third Arena in Chicago.  This is the programs first All State Players since 2019.  Let's get out there and show our support at the game.  The Giants are currently ranked 14th in the state and are 28-12-5.  They have scored 165 goals and have allowed 123.  Dylan Lansky led the IHSHL North in goals with 27 and Total Points with 41.  Ben Lichtenfeld was tied for 10th in total points with 25.

Additionally, the Giants would like to congratulate Eli Meek, Dylan Lansky, and Ben Lichtenfeld  on being named to the 2024 North Central All-Star Travel Team.  They will play against the Illinois West All Stars on March 8 at 8:00 PM, at West Meadows Ice Arena.

The Giants would also like to recognize Alex Schneiderman and Hudson Fisher on being named to the 2024 North Central Varsity In-House All Star Team and Andrew Schneiderman on being named to the 2024 North Central JV IN-House All Star Team.  Both games will be played on February 4th at West Meadows Ice Arena.  The JV All Star Game begins at 1:20 PM and the Varsity All Star Game begins at 3:00 PM.  Coach Bob Melton will be coaching the Varsity Game.

Go Giants!

HP Giants Win Mad City Midwinter Classic

The HP Giants won the MLK  Mad City Midwinter Classic Tournament this weekend beating St. Ignasius in the finals 3-2. Goals were scored by Reece Mindel and Cole Romo (2)! This marks the 3rd consecutive tournament the Giants have won this season (a first in HP history). 

Please support our team down the stretch as they approach the League playoffs and State tournament! Our next game is at home (Centennial Ice Arena) this Thursday at 9pm against the Chicago Romans.  The team faces rival Deerfield on Saturday, 1/20 at 4:30 at Twin Rinks in Buffalo Grove and GBN Sunday, 1/21 at 3pm in Northbrook!

Giants Defeat 10th Ranked Waubonsie 4-3 In Sudden Death OT To Win Battle of the Bird Championship!

This past Sunday the Giants defeated 10th ranked Waubonsie 4 - 3 to win the Battle of the Bird Championship hosted by Stevenson. The Giants, who were playing their second game of the day after defeating 12th ranked Libertyville 2 - 1,  needed extra time to win the game on an improbable goal with 5 seconds remaining in the overtime. As the 10 minute 5 on 5 overtime was about to expire, Dylan Lansky blocked a shot and rushed the puck to the net where Waubonsie’s goalie came out of the net to try to stop him. While Waubonsie’s goalie disrupted him for a second, Lansky rose to his feet and passed the puck over to Alex Schneiderman who buried it for the victory.  Freshman goalie Graham Spencer picked up the victory stopping 32 of 35 shots. Other goals were scored by Evan Paget (assisted by Benny Lichtenfeld), Dylan Lansky (assisted by Zach Melinger) and another by Dylan Lansky (assisted by Jake Perlen). The Giants also defeated Notre Dame and Stevenson on their way to play the game against Libertyville. This is the 2nd tournament the Giants have won this season. They will try to make it 3 in a row in Madison, Wisconsin on MLK Weekend. The Giants currently sit in second place behind Chicago North in the Champions Divison of the IHSHL North-Central Division with 9 games to go in the regular season. The Giants currently have four players in the top 15 for total points:  #1 Dylan Lansky 19 goals (League Leader) and 10 assists , #7 Ben Lichtenfeld 3 goals and 16 assists, #10 Hudson Fisher 10 goals and 8 assists, and #13 Eli Meek 8 goals and 8 assists. The Giants return to action this Saturday at 6:00 Pm at Centennial Ice Arena in Highland Park Vs. New Trier Blue. Please come out and support your team. GO GIANTS!

Giants Hockey Sweeps Tournament Weekend!

HP Varsity Giants Win Nashville Music City Showdown

HP JV Giants Win Michigan Great Lakes Tournament Series

This past weekend was a great program building moment for The Highland Park Giants Hockey Club.  Both The Varsity and Junior Varsity teams traveled  out of town and won their respective tournaments.

The Varsity team went 3-0-1 for the weekend beating Washington Junior Capitals Accademy and Cincinnatti while tying a team from Winnipeg, Canada.  In the championship game the Giants faced the Capitals for a second time beating them 4 - 3 with the game winning goal being scored by Alex Schneiderman assisted by Hudson Fisher.  Other goals in the championship game were scored by Trey Raposo (assisted by David Borys),  Alex Schneiderman (assisted by Dylan Lansky) and Ben Lichtenfeld (assisted by Dylan Lansky). AJ Caplan was in net for the victory.  

The JV team played teams from LZMW Yeti, Detroit Jimmy Johns, and Winnetka/Wilmette.  After losing a round robin game to Winnetka/Wilmette, Coach Martin made some adjustments for the Championship game rematch against Winnetka/Wilmette and the team responded with a Championship Win.  The game winning goal was scored by Alex Alberts assisted by Cole Rosenbloom.  Other goals were scored by Alex Alberts (assisted by Cole Rosenbloom & Max Tarschis), Mason Jacobson (assisted by Riley Hamilton),  and Cole Rosenbloom (assisted by Alex Alberts). Will Romo stopped 32 of 34 shots on the way to the victory.  The JV team is really coming on as its majority Freshmen Lineup are gaining experience and momentum.  

This momentum carries both teams forward as they look to beat Deerfield in their annual rivalry game the night before Thanksgiving, November 22nd.  We will need every Student, Parent, Family Member and Friend of the program to cheer us on.  The District 113 Cup will be played at Glacier Ice Arena.  JV plays at 6:10 PM and Varsity plays at 7:40 PM.  We look forward to seeing everyone there - let’s go Giants!!

Giants Open Locker Room – Defeat Deerfield 4 - 3

On October 21st, the Highland Park Giants celebrated their Locker Room Dedication Night by defeating Deerfield 4 to 3 with a game winning goal by Alex Schneiderman assisted by Casey Rategan with under 2 minutes to go.  The game started out with Deerfield jumping out to a 1 – 0 lead, but the Giants stormed back with 3 unanswered second period goals from Jake Perlen, (assisted by Dylan Lansky and Benny Lichtenfeld) Hudson Fisher, (assisted by Trey Raposo and Alex Schneiderman) and Dylan Lansky (Unassisted) before Deerfield was able to tie it up in the third.  Eli Meek and Charlie Cohen played a strong defensive game in front of AJ Caplan who picked up the victory.
 
Before the game, the Giants new locker room was officially dedicated and opened. The team welcomed the community with a pre-game ceremony and reception. The Collopy family, who made a $50,000 donation in honor of the late Garret Collopy, were on hand to help open the locker room.  They met with the Giants team during the event. Captain Eli Meek and Coach Robert Melton both spoke with Jim and Fran Collopy before the game as Jim reminded them that during Garret’s career the Giants never lost a game to Deerfield. The Giants took that to heart and delivered a victory in honor of Garret. The Giants will be able to use the locker room to attract players from the community making it a huge team building advantage. The Giants also acknowledged the following families who made significant donations as well:
 
Charlie Cohen Family
Billy Cohen Family
Jack Fishman Family
Dylan Lansky Family
Jack Manone Family
Evan Paget Family
Jake Perlen Family
Trey Raposo Family
Will Rosenberg Family
Alex & Andrew Schneiderman Family
Jacob, Ethan, & Sam Schaffer Family

Highland Park Giants Hockey 2022-2023 Seniors

The Highland Park Giants Hockey Club honored 12 players on Senior Night, January 29, 2023. Congrats to our seniors and thanks for the memories - we loved every minute!

Left To Right:  Tyler Margulis, Brett Mobily, Alec Schlossberg, Michael Shubny, AJ Margolick, Dylan Rategan, Miles Pastroff, Jeremy Bach, Charlie Abelson, Max Margulis, Rory Crovetti, Sam Schaffer

Presenting the latest version of the HP Giants Yearbook...available now online. 

Click the picture above for exclusive access to a PDF file of the publication.

Highland Park Varsity and JV Sweep Rivalry Night Again To Keep The District 113 Cup Home!

Giants Varsity Defeats Deerfield 5 - 3 to Retain District 113 Cup

Giants JV Defeats Deerfield 2 - 1 on Rivalry Night

Giants Varsity Defeat  Lyons Township 3 to 2 To Win The Big Bear Ann Arbor Tournament!

The Giants Hockey team defeated Lyons Township 3 to 2 to win the Big Bear Ann Arbor Tournament on Sunday November 6th.  The Giants traveled to Ann Arbor and were undefeated beating teams from Ontario, Canada; Miami of Ohio; Canton Township, Michigan; and Lyons Township, IL.  The Giants went ahead in the championship game with Lyons 1 to 0 on an Alex Schneiderman goal assisted by Hudson Fisher, 2 to 1 on a Dylan Lansky goal assisted by Charlie Cohen, and finally 3 to 2 on a Trey Raposo game winner assisted from Max Margulis.  Dylan Rategan stopped 28 of 30 shots as the game winning goalie. Our annual game with Deerfield is coming up Wednesday, November 23rd and we need every student to be at the game.  Go Giants!!!!!!

Thank You Blackhawks!

The Highland Park Giants hockey team honored 8 seniors at the varsity game against LZMW on January 22nd, 2022.  Congrats to our seniors and THANK YOU for the wonderful memories!

Seniors from left to right:  Billy Cohen, Langston Knapp, Jack Forman, Derek Kasemir, Pierce Romo, Shai Lichtenfeld, Matt Mobily, and Levi Velick.

Giants Hockey Move On In State Playoffs  

Defeat Fenwick 3 - 2 in OT

2021 -2022 IHSHL North Central Division All Stars

Congratulations to Billy Cohen and Pierce Romo for playing in the IHSHL North Central Division Varsity All Star game and to Jake Perlen for playing in the IHSHL North Central Division JV All Star game held on January 23rd.  Congrats also to Evan Paget on being named to the IHSHL North Central Division JV All Star Team. 
 

Billy Cohen, #4 - IHSHL North Central Division Varsity All Star Game

Pierce Romo, #90 - IHSHL North Central Division Varsity All Star Game

Jake Perlen, #81 - IHSHL North Central Division JV All Star Game

Highland Park Varsity and JV Sweep Rivalry Night

And Bring The District 113 Cup Home!

Congrats 2021 Seniors!

Pictured left to right:  Tyler Horberg, Jack Manone, Max Cairo, Jack Fishman, Will Rosenberg, Sam Schlussel, Alec Powers, Matthew Heilizer, Sam Howard and Ethan Schaffer.

The Highland Park Giants honored ten seniors at the varsity game against Libertyville on March 7th.  Congrats to our seniors and thank you for the wonderful memories! 

Seniors from left to right:  Matthew Heilizer, Ethan Schaffer, Sam Schlussel, Sam Howard, Max Cairo, Jack Manone, Alec Powers, Tyler Horberg, Will Rosenberg, and Jack Fishman.

G I A N T   F R I E N D S H I P

Despite different paths, Fishman and Horberg

lead rejuvenated Highland Park

Click on the photo to read the full AHAI story...

Highland Park Giants 2019-2020 Seniors

Seniors from left to right:  Tyler Kasemir, Sam Shachtman, Lawson Levine, Ben Abelson, Kyle Wiesman, Max Kaufman, Will Newton, Ryan Young, Josh Velick, Jack Elbaum, Zach Simon and Spencer Lidov.

HP DEFEATS MARIST 4-3 in 1ST ROUND OF STATE PLAYOFFS

LICHTENFELD LEADS THE WAY BETWEEN THE PIPES

           GIANTS TO FACE YORK IN 2ND ROUND

Highland Park defeated Marist High School 4-3 last night (2/13) at Centennial Ice Arena to advance to the 2nd round of the Illinois State Tournament. 

The Giants peppered the Marist goalie throughout the first period and with 5 minutes to go, the Giants finally broke through to take a 1-0 lead on a Sam Shachtman goal with assists from Will Rosenberg and Kyle Wiesman.

HP came out shooting to start the second and Billy Cohen buried a Ben Abelson pass to give the Giants a 2-0 lead less than a minute into the period.  While Marist struggled to generate any scoring chances during the first period, they created chance after chance over the course of the second. Fortunately HP goalie, Shai Lichtenfeld, facing 17 shots in the 2nd, was up to the challenge stopping odd man chance after odd man chance.  However, there were only so many saves Lichtenfeld could make when Marist finally broke through with 3 minutes remaining in the second to cut the HP lead in half.  The Giants regained a 2 goal lead less than a minute later on a Rosenberg goal set up by Shachtman and Jack Elbaum.  Just when it appeared HP had regained control of the game, the Giants got caught with too many men deep in their offensive zone and Marist made it a 3-2 game on beautiful 2 on 1 passing play to end the period.

As the 3rd period started, it was clear that the 12 Seniors on the Giants roster did not want their HS hockey careers to end on the coldest night of the winter.  Halfway through the 3rd, with the Giants dominating the play in their offensive zone, Elbaum scored the game winner on a beautiful tic-tac-toe play with Shachtman and Wiesman to make it 4-2.  If you could give assists to everyone that participated in the play, another assist would have been credited to Rosenberg when he started the play with a pass to Wiesman on the point.  Just like the Giants, the Marist Seniors clearly did not want their HS careers to end either which led to a frenetic conclusion to the game.  Marist posted 12 shots on Lichtenfeld during the third period with almost all of them following the Giants goal and with HP taking a penalty with 3 and a half minutes to go, Marist took advantage of the opportunity and scored to make it a 4-3 game with just over 2 minutes to play.  Following the ensuing face-off, Marist pulled their goalie to add a 6th attacker but Lichtenfeld did the rest to secure the victory and ensure the Seniors careers were extended for at least one more game.

The Giants are back in action next Wednesday 2/19 at 9pm in Addison when they face York HS in the 2nd round of the State playoffs.

https://www.hplandmark.com/p/sports-high-school/boys-ice-hockey-giants-hold-marist-advance-state-tournament

Garrett James Collopy  

July 9, 1998 - February 3, 2020

It’s with great sadness we share the loss of former HP Giant Alternate Captain, #79, Garrett James Collopy, Class of ’16.  Garrett passed away on Monday February 3rd at the age of 21. 

A highly skilled, feisty and accomplished player, Garrett, a 3 year varsity letterman was respected and beloved by his teammates and coaches.  He loved representing our community and our High School.  It brought Garrett great pride, during his final High School game, with HP losing by 1 late in the third period, to score and force a shootout.  As the final shooter for HP in the shootout, Garrett buried the game winning goal and celebrated with his teammates and best friends.

Garrett will be missed.  The entire HP Giants Hockey Organization has the Collopy family in its heart and its prayers.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, February 7th from 10-11:30am at Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home with a Mass immediately following at the Immaculate Conception Church at noon.

Sam Shachtman Selected To Try Out For 

2020 Team Illinois Showcase Team

Congratulations to Sam Shachtman for being selected to try out for the 2020 Illinois Showcase Team.  Players who are selected will play at the America’s High School Showcase at the Center Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri in April.  The purpose of the event is to allow High School Hockey Players from around the country the opportunity to compete against the best of the best and be seen by every high level college and junior program in North America.

HP Defeats Deerfield 6-3 to Open League Playoffs

Lichtenfeld: Stellar Between the Pipes

The Giants, winners of 6 of their last 8 games, have been playing some of their best hockey heading into the playoffs.  After losing 2 games and tying one to Deerfield prior to the Winter Break, the Giants looked like an entirely different team last night defeating Deerfield 6-3.

Shai Lichtenfeld stopped 33 shots while Co-Captains Jack Elbaum and Sam Shachtman each tallied 2 goals and the defense, anchored by Alternate Captain Josh Velick, gave the potent Deerfield offense fits all night.

Deerfield took the early lead less than a minute into the game.  The Giants settled down and with 3 minutes to go in the first period Sam Shachtman scored his first of the evening with assists by Will Rosenberg and Jack Elbaum.  With a late goal by Deerfield, the Giants trailed the Warriors 2-1 at the end of the first period.

The Giants continued their solid play in the second period by burying 2 goals while shutting out the Warriors.  Zach Simon, on an assist by Sam Howard, scored a beautiful goal 5 minutes into the period by using the Deerfield defenseman as a screen to beat the goalie in the top left corner of the net.   Jack Elbaum closed out the scoring in the second by cleaning up a rebound of a Shachtman shot off of a great pass by Rosenberg.

The Giants scored again just a minute and a half into the 3rd period when Ben Abelson corralled a loose puck in front of the Deerfield net and beat the Deerfield netminder to give HP a 4-2 lead.  However, HP put themselves in vulnerable position by taking 2 penalties less then a minute apart.  Deerfield used their timeout and scored a 5 on 3 power play goal to cut the Giants lead to one, but that was as close as the Warriors would get.  Elbaum scored his second of the evening, on an assist from Rosenberg that gave the Giants a 2 goal lead and Shachtman closed out the scoring by netting his second goal of the game with less than a minute to play.

The Giants are back in action on Saturday night when they visit Evanston for their 2nd of 5 playoff games during group play.  The top 2 teams from their group will advance to the league semi-finals.  You can catch the Giants at home next Monday, February 3rd at 9pm at Centennial when they will face New Trier Grey in an exhibition game before the playoffs continue next Thursday, February 6th at Centennial when the Giants host Libertyville.

Additional Stories:

Highland Park Landmark:

https://www.hplandmark.com/p/sports-high-school/boys-ice-hockey-lichtenfeld-giants-best-deerfield-playoffs

IHSHL North Central League:

https://www.ihshlnorthcentral.com/news_article/show/1082530

Jack Broderick represented the JV team in the league All-Star game on Saturday January 4th.  Jack, the JV team leader in assists and points, had an outstanding game and recorded 2 assists to contribute towards his team’s win.  Congrats to Jack!!

Congratulations to our Highland Park Giants Hockey Association All Stars for the 2019-2020 Season.  Sam Shachtman and Jack Elbaum, both Seniors, were selected from the Giants to play in the Champions Division Varsity All Star Game.  Sam Schlussel and Jack Broderick, both Juniors, have been selected to play in the JV Gold Division All Star Game.  Good luck to them on All Star Sunday January 4th. The JV All Star Gold Game starts at 2:50 PM.  The Varsity Champions All Star Game starts at 7:50 PM.  All games are at West Meadows Ice Arena, 3939 Winnetka Ave in Rolling Meadows. 

HP Varsity Giants Win Wright Angle Tournament In Madison

Highland Park Giants Hockey

Honored By City Council