“The celebration is underway, the horn sounds, and the Glen Rock Panthers are the McInnis Cup Champions!” March 4, 2021 was an exciting night for all members and fans of the Glen Rock High School Hockey team. The Cinderella story was finally complete as the 5th seeded Panthers knocked off the 2nd seeded Lancers of Livingston High School to win the McInnis Cup.
To reach the title game the Panthers had defeated rivals Summit (4th seed) and Westfield (1 seed) by a combined score of 8-3. All four grade levels played major roles in helping the Panthers capture the cup, but it was the 5 seniors who led the way to the title.
Senior goaltender Mack Alvino played his best game of the season, and arguably the best game of his career the night the Panthers took home the cup. Alvino stopped all 40 shots he faced, preserving yet another shutout in his career as a Panther.
Senior, and two year captain Ryan LeBlanc also ended his career with a bang, scoring a power play goal in the final game of his career. Fellow seniors Anthony Maurice (led the Panthers in assists in his final season), Alex Vicinanza and Kevin Kennedy left their mark on Glen Rock Hockey through their leadership, and major roles in the McInnis Cup championship run.
Current junior, and co-captain of this year’s Panthers hockey team, Colin Redmond recalled last year’s championship team, and the impact that the departing seniors left on him and his teammates.
“Those seniors left us with very high standards thanks to last season, and as a team we are looking to be right back to where we were last year, and that’s playing for a championship”.
Thanks to his outstanding performances in the playoffs, Alvino was dubbed the nickname Playoff Vino by his teammates, and was even recognized by Jersey Sports Zone on Instagram following the McInnis Cup title game.
“I got off the ice and my phone didn’t stop buzzing for an hour, hundreds of messages. Local businesses supported us, as did the school and administration. I never realized how invested the students, teachers, and even the whole town were in our season.” said Alvino.
The following weeks, and months were very exciting for the team, and the 5 seniors made sure to make the most of their remaining time as high school students.
The seniors put together a team breakfast the morning after the championship win at Matthew’s Diner (skipping school in the process), and were then treated to lunch by Sal at Francesca’s.
Following their meals the team came to school, and Dr. Parent allowed the team to tour around the school, and stop into classes to share the celebration with their classmates who were not allowed to attend the game in person.
“No teachers were annoyed, everyone let us come into class and celebrate. I was amazed how united the community felt,” mentioned Alvino.
The seniors continued to enjoy their final months at Glen Rock High School celebrating the championship along with great success in spring sports, and senior events including prom, Grad Ball, and their graduation ceremony.
Following the end of the school year, the seniors would have to make decisions regarding the next steps in their lives whether that meant attending college, or continuing their hockey career outside the walls of Glen Rock High School.
First off, former Panther defenseman Kevin Kennedy played his final hockey game the night of the McInnis Cup Championship. His excellent efforts both on the ice and in the classroom earned him enrollment at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
Kennedy has enjoyed his time at Northeastern, and he hopes to reunite with his teammates and classmates over both spring break, and over the summer.
Next, Alex Vicinanza decided to attend Syracuse University, and is undecided in regards to his major. “Vech,” as his teammates, and friends, called him, did not want to hang up the skates once he reached college, so he took matters into his own hands by creating the first ever all freshman intramural hockey team.
“I’ve had a great time socially and academically in my first semester at ‘Cuse. For the team, I got around 15 guys to sign up, and we played weekly games. We were surprisingly very successful finishing the season at 7-1,” Vicinanza said.
Despite all of the success on the ice both in high school and college Vicinanza was not satisfied with the 7-1 finish to his team’s season.
“We unfortunately lost the championship, but we are coming for revenge in the spring season. I also plan to rush a fraternity house in the spring, so I’m hoping for the best there as well. Overall, Syracuse has been great to me, and I’m really excited for the future,” said Vicinanza.
Anthony Maurice was another outstanding player at Glen Rock High School over his decorated varsity hockey career. “Mo” dished out over 35 assists, and netted over 20 goals in his time as a Panther with his final assist coming in the McInnis Cup title game.
Maurice is another player who has continued his hockey career, but he took a different route compared to some of his peers.
Maurice decided after graduating Glen Rock High School to academically attend Notre Dame High School in Fairfield, Connecticut. Although Maurice is not eligible to compete for the school due to the fact that he used all years of his eligibility here at Glen Rock, he has found a new team to call his own.
Maurice is now playing for a club team named Elite Hockey Academy at the AAA level (highest club level) in the 18 and under division. He hopes to reunite with his teammates while he recovers from injury before going back to Connecticut.

Two-year captain Ryan LeBlanc, was the backbone of the Panthers during their McInnis Championship run. LeBlanc, another senior, who netted over 20 goals in his illustrious career at Glen Rock tallied his final goal the night of March 4, helping the Panthers capture the McInnis Cup.
LeBlanc was filled with emotions following graduation as he knew he would be moving to Nashville, Tennessee, therefore, leaving the house, and town that he had lived in for the first 18 years of his life.
“The summer consisted of many emotions. I moved out of Glen Rock, and out of my house for the first time in 18 years, but I was excited to start my next chapter.”
LeBlanc now attends the University of Alabama as a business marketing major, and also holds a minor in public relations. LeBlanc also plays club golf at the university, and looks forward to this upcoming semester after being able to come home to Glen Rock over both Thanksgiving and winter break to see his friends, and former classmates.
Lastly, goaltender Mack Alvino saw varsity time over all four years that he played at Glen Rock High School, and saved the best for last, stopping 40 shutouts, and shutting out Livingston to lift the McInnis Cup trophy alongside his longtime teammates.
Alvino went on to play hockey year round after the championship, playing for Hockey Essentials in two tournaments: the Northeast College Showcase, and the Predraft Battle of Boston.
Alvino then continued to work out for the first half of the season in Seacoast, New Hampshire with the team while still pursuing a contract offer.
“We will see what the future holds for me,” Alvino said, when looking to the future both in terms of his academic and athletic careers. Alvino continues to participate in Glen Rock Hockey, and help with youth hockey camps alongside both LeBlanc, and Vicinanza.
Despite all of the chaos that a normal hockey season typically brings, COVID brought a whole new challenge for the Panthers, but despite shutdowns, injuries, and being the underdog in all 3 playoff games, the Panthers stayed true to their motto.
“Pain is temporary, but rings last forever.”