The Rivertown Legends, a countywide hockey team with student athletes from all over Westchester, made history this season after going undefeated for 21 straight games.
The team’s roster consists of student athletes pulled from high schools in Ossining, Sleepy Hollow, Irvington, Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Croton-on-Hudson and Hartsdale, with most of this season’s roster made up of graduating seniors.
Goalie and senior Ryan O’Hagen fell in love with hockey ever since he watched the Los Angeles Kings win the Stanley Cup in 2012. Since then, he knew he wanted to be a part of the sport, specifically to emulate Jonathan Quick, a goalie for the New York Rangers. “Playing Legends puck reaffirmed my love for the sport. The intensity and pride I had of playing a school sport was something I hadn’t experienced until high school,” O’Hagen said about his time with the Legends. This past season held significant importance, as O’Hagen said their coach, Kevin Hagen, brought everyone together on and off the ice.
This winter marked Coach Hagen’s 10th season and 100th win with the team, noting that this was the closest-knit group that he’s witnessed since he started coaching. Hagen knew a few players from before they began competing with the Legends and has watched more than a few grow from freshmen to seniors. Although the Legends eventually lost in the Section 1 final to Suffern, Hagan was satisfied with the team’s puck management and goaltending, as well as their impressive record. “This past season was very gratifying as we only lost one game all year with a record of 21-1,” Hagan said. He’s grateful to have coached and witnessed his players develop, especially the Irvington players who he had coached previously with the Westchester Vipers travel organization: Alex Zinman, Ryan Vicari, Bowie Frank and Saxon Frank.
Alejandra Badillo, parent of senior Aaron Emmanuel Taub who plays defense, has seen first-hand the positive effects of being part of something like this. Taub has been competing with the Rivertown Legends since he was a sophomore, with Badillo attributing his academic success to sports. “Athletics is just such a safe haven for kids to kind of understand the difference between what they want and what they need,” Badillo said.
Team captain and senior Danny Herceg commented on the huge impact the Legends has made on his life. From the friendships, to balancing sports and school, Herceg referred to playing with the Legends as a privilege. “It’s hard to imagine not playing for the legends next year. I’m gonna miss it a lot. But I’m excited about the future ahead,” Herceg said.
The 2024-25 Rivertown Legends roster is made up of seven graduating seniors. Although their futures in collegiate-level hockey are unclear, it’s undeniable that the Rivertown Legends provides a lifetime of memories, life lessons and friendships for the athletes involved.
“I am especially proud of the fact that the team is represented by six different schools bringing together players that might not have had the chance to play together. This year was the tightest group I’ve had since coaching the Legends,” Hagen said.
CAPTION: The Legends won 21 games this season before losing in the Section 1 final. Photo supplied
