Sheehan names new hockey coach

 

By John Pettit
Meriden Record-Journal
September 8, 2009

 

WALLINGFORD CONNECTICUT - Dave Festa grew up in ice hockey-crazy Hamden, was part of two high school state championship squads, walked on at Boston University and has coached various youth level teams.

“Obviously, he has a great hockey background,” Sheehan athletic director V.J. Sarullo said.

Festa recently added another line to his impressive resume when he was named the new coach of the Titans’ hockey team.

“I’m actually pretty excited about it,” said Festa, admitting that he has the first day of practice, Nov. 30, circled on his calendar.

Festa, a 38-year-old quality development engineer for Covidien, replaces Ralph Shaw, who resigned to take the head job at North Branford.

A physical education teacher at North Branford Intermediate School, Shaw served as head coach at Sheehan for the past nine seasons, most notably leading the Titans to the SCC title in 2007 and the Division II state semifinals in 2008. He replaces T.J. Schatz on the North Branford bench.

The Titans finished 2-18 in the winter and lost three seniors to graduation.

“The program has had a lot of success in the past,” Festa said. “I kind of want to build on that and keep the momentum going, especially given that the Wallingford Hawk (youth hockey program) has had such a long-standing history in the town. Sheehan hockey is something I feel I can really contribute to.”

Festa grew up in Hamden and began playing hockey at 5. He won two state championships as a player at Hamden High before attending Boston University.

“I went there for school and ended up walking on,” Festa said, adding that he was a practice player for the Terriers for two years before hanging up his skates to concentrate on academics.

After college, Festa began his coaching career with Yale Youth Hockey. There, he brought a team to the prestigious Division I tournament and coached Olympian Caitlin Cahow.

Festa has also coached Connecticut Clippers Youth Hockey along the way. Over the past four or five years, he has coached for the Wallingford Hawks.

“I think there is certainly a level of experience that I have, but I think it’s more about being able to have a relationship with the kids and the insight on how to relate to them,” he said. “It’s not just about the Xs and Os on the ice. It’s about being able to motivate the players.”

Festa lives in Wallingford with his wife Deena and sons Jake (8), Luke (6) and Max (2).

“The chance to contribute back to the town is something that is very appealing to me,” he said.