In 2003, Mo Fuchs and Sariel Malitzky had an idea. They were both coaching in the yeshiva high school hockey league and knew first-hand the impact that sports in general and specifically hockey was having on their players. Teaneck youth have been playing sports forever. However, hockey was not on the radar. That would change in a big way!
Mo and Sariel (before he became Rabbi Malitzky, popular rebbe at TABC) decided to launch the TABC Junior Hockey League. They aimed to provide a well-run program for children to learn to play hockey and absorb essential life lessons. There are many values that can be learned and internalized through sports; respect of coaches, refs, opponents and oneself. Players quickly learn the importance of commitment and teamwork, dealing with adversity and handling success. Fuchs and Malitsky wanted to emphasize these values and nurture the hundreds of players into kids, then young men and ultimately adults who played sports with middos and sportsmanship.
Their dream was fulfilled. The league, which has consistently attracted close to 200 kids each year, saw many of the players graduate the league and join their school hockey teams. Some starred in junior varsity and then varsity and many won championships. Rabbi Sariel Malitzky said, “There were times I would watch my TABC students play in a big game … and over 75 percent of all of the players were graduates of our league. We are most proud of the guys who played with a sense of menschlichkeit.”
After thirteen years, change is on the horizon. Malitsky announced that his family will be moving to Highland Park, New Jersey, where he will become the assistant rabbi in Congregation Ohr Torah.
Fuchs and Malitzky worked to find a new partner for Fuchs. They identified Yoni Stone, who played in the TABC Junior Hockey league, was captain of the TABC JV and varsity hockey teams and coached in the Junior Hockey League during that time. Stone recently married Cayley Stark, graduated YU and is now learning for semicha in YU’s RIETS, He coached the Moriah hockey team and has been (and continues to be) the director of hockey at Camp Slapshots. Yoni is a responsible, caring and dynamic leader. He is passionate about hockey and about mentoring kids. He credits much of his success and current career path to his experiences playing hockey.
Rabbi Malitzky said, “I have known Yoni for 12 years and I can attest to the fact that he is a true role model! I can think of nobody better to run the league.”
