Esposito Brothers Lead Brother Rice Drive For Kennedy Cup Glory
By Ross Forman
Brother Rice continues its drive to end the drought, anchored this season on the shoulders of brothers James and Johnathon Esposito, forwards in their fourth varsity season for the Crusaders.
Brother Rice has not hoisted the prestigious Kennedy Cup as the champions of the Chicago Catholic Hockey League since 2001.
Johnathon didn’t hesitate when asked about the team’s goal for this season: Win the Kennedy Cup, he said. Asked if the goal was reachable, he didn’t flinch: “Absolutely.”
“We are a team that understands the talent we have this year and we aren’t expecting anything less than to win,” Johnathon said. “I have played four years on Brother Rice varsity with many memories.”
But not the ultimate price for any CCHL player.
“The goal for Brother Rice this season is, by far, to win the Kennedy Cup; that is No. 1 on everyone’s list in the locker room,” James added. “We may not be the most skilled team (in the league), but we will definitely be the most hard-working and (motivated) team.”
Both 18, the Esposito brothers live in Darien and have been award-winning throughout their careers, which included time skating for the Chicago Hawks before joining the Crusaders. Johnathon is a right-handed shooting wing in jersey No. 19 who has been a CCHL all-star and CCHL all-academic honoree. He scored his first CCHL goal against Benet – past his cousin.
James is a left-handed shooting center in uniform No. 77. He was assistant captain as a sophomore, and captain as a junior and senior. James won the Catholic League scoring title with 21 goals and 13 assists in 17 games played. He also was named an all-star the past two seasons, and last year he earned all-state accolades. James’ career highlight was scoring five goals against Mt. Carmel in a classic winter game.
“My style of play is more offensive-minded and (a) shoot-first kind of player. While I do help on defense, I find my best attribute is my scoring ability,” James said. “My dad has been the biggest influence on my career, for sure. He always looks out for me and my brother and has been my coach for my whole life regardless where I played. My dad always gives me motivation to do better and always reminds us that champions are made when nobody is looking.”
Johnathon also praised the elder Esposito: “He has taught me everything I know.”
Plus, the brothers have been training with former NHL player Brent Sopel. “My game has jumped to the next level because of him,” Johnathon said.
James said his hockey highlight was scoring an overtime game-winning goal in the championship game of a tournament in Detroit while playing for the Hawks.
“My most memorable game (last season) was playing (against) Providence Catholic in game three of the Kennedy Cup quarterfinals – and we won,” Johnathon said. “My top thought heading into this season is definitely how I want to win the Kennedy Cup … more than anything.”
Johnathon recalls a freshman year overtime playoff win against Fenwick, scoring with 0.7 seconds remaining. Then there was a behind-the-back pass to Jack Gaskin in a playoff game against Providence Catholic.
Johnathon is one who “can play both sides of the ice and both a playmaker and a shooter,” he said. “I have become a smarter hockey player and increased my strength to shoot harder and skate faster,” since last season.
James also carries fond memories of his freshman season and his all-time favorite varsity memory was beating Fenwick in overtime in the CCHL quarterfinals. “That is definitely a moment to remember for the rest of my life,” he said. “I have changed from last season because now I’m a senior and it’s my last chance to win the Kennedy cup so I worked a lot on my skating and strength.”
Johnathon and James naturally bring chemistry to the ice. “When my brother and I were put on JV for one game to play Marist, we both scored a hat trick,” Johnathon said. “He has helped me a lot with viewing the ice and being in the right places on both sides of the ice.”
Johnathon said he’s better than James at playmaking, defense and shooting.
James answered that he is better at scoring goals.
“Being teammates with my brother is like the best chemistry a coach can ask for and (yet we have a) bad tendency to argue over things on the bench,” James said. “The best part is the chemistry aspect; we think alike and we sort of both know where the other one is always at.
“My brother has improved my game because it’s always a competition, even if my dad says it’s not. We both know, deep down, that we both want to be better than the other one, so it’s sort of a motivator to always try and get better.”
Brother Rice head coach Paul Manning said the team has not yet seen its true potential. “The twin’s leadership is key to unlocking Brother Rice’s success,” said Manning, who graduated from Mount Carmel in 1988 and was a three-year varsity right wing. His Caravan teams won the state championship and the Kennedy Cup three times (1986, 1987 and 1988).
“The determination these brothers display both in the classroom and on the ice could push this team to the top of the Catholic League with one goal in mind: win the Kennedy Cup.”
Slapshots With … Brother Rice Forward Johnathon Esposito
The Quote: “Playing for my papa definitely gives me the motivation I need to go all out on the ice.”
Long-term Goals: “To play competitive hockey as long as I can and get closer to God.”
Hobbies: Golf and hanging out with friends
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Player: Jonathan Toews
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Motivational Song: Dream On by Aerosmith
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Pasta
Favorite app: Snapchat
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Favorite High School Uniform (other than Brother Rice): Benet Academy
Slapshots With … Brother Rice Forward James Esposito
It Helps: Weightlifting
Long-term Goal: To play NCAA hockey
Hobbies: “I enjoy playing golf and watching sports with my friends.”
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Player: Patrick Kane
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle
Favorite TV Show: Reacher
Motivational Song: Where Have You Been by Rihanna
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Spaghetti and meatballs
Favorite app: Instagram
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Patrick Kane
Favorite High School Uniform (other than Brother Rice): Glenbrook South