(PHOTO CREDIT MARISA MASSO)

JRFlyers Goaltender Mac Vail is heading for College Hockey. The 6’6 and ’96 birth from Queens, New York has committed to Manhattanville College, a Division III School in Purchase, New York. Vail didn’t start the season with the JRFlyers, he was playing for the Connecticut Oilers before coming to the team in late October/early November. After starting the season 2-6 with the Oilers he found a new home in West Chester with the JRFlyers and the move was a success. At first, Vail was the backup but an injury to the starting goaltender early in the second half of the season put him in the starting role. Vail went straight to work and he flourished, as he remained in net for the rest of the season, including playoffs. He finished the regular season 17-2-1 with a Goals Against Average of 1.47 and a .942 Save Percentage with 3 shutouts.  His tremendous season was awarded with a 2nd Team South Conference Honor for the Eastern Hockey League. Vail was a center piece as the JRFlyers headed to the postseason. The JRFlyers won the EHL Championship over their division rival, the Little Flyers, and Vail’s numbers through the playoffs read: 9-3, GAA 2.19, a SV% of .927 and 1 shutout.

Despite the roller coaster season it was for Vail, he enjoyed the shift to a new team. “It was definitely a new experience having to move to a new team in the middle of the season.  I was in Connecticut for over a year, so I had to say goodbye to some really good friends and a great billet family there. But, I was pretty excited when Coach Domish called me the next day.  The Junior Flyers were doing well early on and I have known Dennis Ruppe (JRFlyers Forward)  for a few years so I felt comfortable coming to West Chester.  All the guys were very welcoming and friendly when I got there.  I played against a lot of them last year so it was interesting to be in their locker room.  They all helped me settle in to the new area, and I am thankful that they made the transition easy.”

It’s difficult to move mid season and in your final year of juniors but it all paid off and Vail ended his junior career as a champion. “Overall, I had a great time in West Chester with the Junior Flyers.  Going to the rink was something I could look forward to thanks to the coaches, trainers and all of my teammates.  I have never seen an entire team get along as well as our team did, and they made it really easy to enjoy the time away from the rink as well.  It couldn't have ended on any better note than it did. This season has taught me so much.  The first half of the season did not really go the way I had hoped, but that adversity only helped me grow in the end.  I got a chance to play a lot of games for the Junior Flyers in the second half of the season and that was another great learning experience for me.  Being part of the teams’ streak at the end of the year and then the playoff run (a streak that reached 17 wins spanning into playoffs) really taught me a lot about what it takes for a team to be successful.  The guys in our locker room showed up to the rink and gave it everything they had every single day.  They pushed me every day and helped me learn a lot this year.”

College hockey at Manhattanville is up next for Vail. He isn’t sure which field of study he will take up but is interested in their Sports Studies Program, but that doesn’t stop him from preparing himself as he already has goals he’d like to meet. “My goal going into Manhattanville is to take everything one day at a time. I want to learn as much as possible on and off the ice. I am looking forward to getting back to school, as well as getting started with the Valiant Hockey team. I couldn’t be more excited to start the college process.” 

Coach Domish is very excited for Vail’s next step as he had a front row seat while Vail anchored the team. “A year ago I remember playing against him and he would stone us multiple times and he kept the Oilers in games. I knew he could be that goalie again with a little support. Mac is a very dedicated player. He is first in and last out on a daily basis. It’s just not an expression that hard work leads to success. He is an incredible competitor who hates to give up goals. His success comes from his hard work and how hard he competes on every play.  I would be surprised if he is not the starting goalie soon after arriving, and I know he will work hard and compete until that happens. He is a great person who was a real pleasure to coach. I just wish I would have had the opportunity to work with him longer.”

Vail has had a successful junior hockey career but wanted to thank those who have helped in along the way and leave a message to his teammates. “First, I thank my parents for their constant support in my hockey career.  I would like to thank Coach Jerry Domish and Coach Jason Kilcoyne for giving me a chance in the middle of this season.  I would also like to thank Coach Marshall, Coach Gumenyuk and Coach De Castro for giving me this opportunity to play college hockey at a great school.  Last but not least, I would really like to thank all of my teammates in the last four years of junior hockey. I have made some great friends from all around the world throughout this process and I am grateful for all of them. I will always remember my time in West Chester with this group of guys.  I'll never forget the camaraderie and work ethic of this team.  I just want to wish all of them the best of luck as we go our own ways next year.”

Congratulations Mac on a successful junior career. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the JRFlyers organization. Now it’s on to the next step of your journey, but you leave the JRFlyers as a champion, and now you become a member of the JRFlyers family.

By: Joe Sindoni

Staff Writer

Play By Play Announcer