Junior Royals alumni forward Frank Dichiara commits to Princeton May 11, 2012 

Dichiara, 18, who hails from Ronkonkoma, New York, had a tremendous rookie season with the  St. Louis Bandits of the North American Hockey League in the 2011-12 season.  He was third in team scoring with 51 points (23 goals, 28 assists) in 59 games played.  The 6’2/215 lbs. forward helped the Bandits win the Midwest Division regular season and playoff titles and a Runner-Up finish in the Robertson Cup National Championship game.  He registered eight points in 12 playoff games.Dichiara also represented the NAHL 18U Selects Team at the 2012 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament in Troy, Michigan back in February.

“It was a real easy decision for me because I think Princeton has one of the best schools in the country, both academically and athletically,” said Dichiara, who was named to the 2011-12 NAHL All-Rookie 1st Team for his accomplishments this season.  “They really started taking an interest in me at the Top Prospects Tournament and it just took off from there.”

“I thought Frank had a lot of determination from the start,” said Bandits head coach Jeff Brown.  “He came in and right off the bat, he worked hard, paid his dues and put a lot of time and energy into becoming a better hockey player.  He was one of the youngest players on the team and worked his way up to be a top six forward.  He has great hockey sense, size and is a gifted player, so we are very happy for him.”

The Royals are proud of Frank and all of his accomplishments both on and off the ice and congratulate him and the DiChiara family.

After a disappointing one goal loss to Atlanta in the USA Hockey Jr Tier III National Championship Game the Jr. Royals players returned home with some extra items.   Not only did they have silver medals, a trophy and a banner but many of the players had been approached by scouts from Colleges, NAHL and USHL teams.    
Coach Hoey said "Several of the boys were given offers and invitations to colleges and team camps for next season, it was nice to see the boys efforts were being rewarded."   Coach Hoey expects many additional offers from scouts will come in the next week or two.  "Our boys received a lot of attention from the scouts at Nationals,  we were the underdog here, a young team with a very short bench and the boys played their hearts out making it to the biggest stage, the National Finals.   I'm very proud of our players and staff for everything we accomplished."

Coach Hoey said "Our job is to move the boys on to college or higher levels of hockey, not necessarily to win titles, today we did both very well."     

In their last locker room meeting after the National Championship loss Coach Hoey spoke to his team knowing that most of the players will not be here next year.   After congratulating and thanking every player for their hard work he told the boys "We will be back here again".  After being in the Nationals for three straight years including four of the past five,  they will be.

The day after their Jr National Championship Game the players were all present at the rink for the 12-13 Jr Royals tryouts.  Grouped together  not wanting it to end they watched  the tryouts of the players they know will take their spots next season.   A parent of the 11-12 team also watching the tryouts said it best, "we had a great group, a great run, and a lot of fun.  The boys trying out for next season have some big shoes to fill". 

After another successful season finishing first in regular season division play and the Royals are preparing for the 2012-13 season.

                                            GP W L T PTS
LONG ISLAND ROYALS 36 29 6 1 59 
NEW JERSEY ROCKETS 36 27 7 2 56
METRO MOOSE                 36 25 10 1 51 
JUNIOR TITANS                 36 24 12 0 48 
SUFFOLK JUNIORS           36 20 14 2 42
NEW YORK SAINTS           36 4 32 0 8

The Jr Royals defeated the Rochester Ice Hawks tonight to qualify for the USA Hockey Tier III National Finals.   The Ice Hawks were in their ninth straight Jr A Nationals had swept through their first four games moving into the semi-final round.
The Royals were  down 4-2 in the third period when they got two quick goals from JT Hall to tie the score.    With four minutes left in regulation Matt Goldberg worked into the slot and got his second goal of the day by roofing one to put the Royals up 5-4.   JT Hall got his third when he stripped the defense and scored on a empty net to put the game away.
Royals goalie Corey Cario stopped 48 of 52 goals including several outstanding saves during the last minute of the game.

The local Star Tribune newspaper had this paragraph about this game. "Tonight, at 6 p.m., the Rochester Ice Hawks are playing host to the hated Long Island Royals, in the U.S. Tier III Junior Hockey tournament semifinals at the Rochester Rec center. (Good seats available at the door.) A victory puts the Hawks in the noon Tuesday title game against the winner of the Billings-Atlanta game."

The Royals will meet Atlanta tomorrow (4-3-12) at noon for the USA Hockey Tier III National Championship.

Click here to see the local television newscast reference the Royals game.