Triple Threat on Ice

ISABELLE KLISCH, Contributing Writer

With limited numbers but no shortage of passion, North Brunswick High School hockey players have hit the ice this season alongside skaters from South Brunswick and Monroe High Schools to maintain a cooperative program they hope will grow with their on-ice success.

Practicing in a different town and wearing different school colors has added challenges, but it has also strengthened the bond between the players. For the North Brunswick players, sharing the ice with South Brunswick and Monroe created a strong bond that goes beyond school rivalries.

“It's interesting because the first couple of years we didn't really have a lot of representation, so we were kind of just there,” said Nicholas Kourmoulis, a junior at NBTHS who is in his third season with the hockey team. “But now we have new jerseys with all of the schools on them, so now hopefully people will understand we are a part of the team too.”

North Brunswick and South Brunswick have been combined as a hockey team since the 2021-2022 season. However, as of the 2025-2026 season, they have added Monroe to their cooperative. Adding the three teams together brings many advantages, such as increased competition among players. However, it also presents challenges, as players come from three different towns with their own school cultures and rivalries, 

“Playing on a team with two other schools is different, but it’s a good experience,” said Travis Neves, a sophomore at NBTHS. “Even though we come from different towns, we have to learn how to work together and play as one team.”

Despite the challenges of combining the three schools into one program, the North Brunswick, South Brunswick, Monroe hockey team continues to prove that unity and commitment matter more than numbers. By learning to work together across town lines and rivalries, the players have built a team based on mutual respect and a shared love for the game. 

With an overall record of 11-6 and a 7-2 record in the division, the cooperative is ranked first in the Greater Middlesex Conference. As the season continues, their dedication shows that teamwork can keep any program alive and thriving.