Young collegian in high demand

William Horcoff was the youngest player in college hockey this season and the most requested player at the combine.

The freshman center (6-5, 190) interviewed with 31 NHL teams this week, the most of any player at the event. He had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 18 games with the University of Michigan after his arrival in December. Horcoff, the son of former NHL forward Shawn Horcoff, had 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 28 games with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team to begin the season. He turned 18 on Jan. 23.

“The other team doesn’t care that I was the youngest player,” Horcoff said. “They’re still going to play me hard, if not even harder. I was more just focusing on what I could do to have an impact.

“I feel I used my size and strength to win pucks and my physicality to play that hard, mean, game that you need to win.”

Shawn Horcoff, the assistant GM of the Detroit Red Wings, played 1,008 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks. Detroit has the No. 13 pick in the draft.

“My dad told me that if you want it, you’ve got to put everything into it, and I want it really bad,” said Horcoff, No. 24 in Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters. “Just make sure you’re not going to bed knowing you could have done more because if you can’t do that, you’re not going to maximize your potential and be the best player you can be in five years. That’s the best advice he’s given me.”

First to finish

Malte Vass was the first player on the floor to complete the array of fitness tests at the combine. The defenseman with Farjestad in Sweden’s junior division is No. 17 in Central Scouting’s final ranking of International skaters.

“Fun,” Vass said of being the first one. “It was tough, it was intensive.”

Vass felt the VO2 Max bike test that measures endurance was the toughest and that the various jumping tests were a bit easier. The 18-year-old didn’t go into the testing blindly. Jack Berglund, a forward chosen by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round (No. 51) of the 2024 NHL Draft, shared some insights. Vass and Berglund have been teammates on Farjestad’s junior team the past three seasons.

“I learned a lot about myself,” he said. “Meeting all the teams, it’s been a fun week, but it was tough.”

Vass, considered a stay-at-home defenseman, had 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 40 games with his junior team and no points in five games in the Swedish Hockey League this season. He plans to attend Boston University in Hockey East 2025-26.

“I think it’s a really good school, and I think it’s the best way for me,” Vass said. “I think it’s better to play college to get to the NHL.”

What’s in a number?

There’s a story behind Schaefer wearing jersey No. 48. It has to do with current Flyers general manager and former NHL forward Daniel Brière.

“The reason my brother wore 48 was because of Danny Briere,” said Schaefer, whose brother Johnny is nine years older. “Johnny grew up wearing 48 and watching him. Briere was at a tyke (under-7) hockey tournament in Buffalo, coaching one of the teams, and he came into the room where my brother was and spoke to everyone about life lessons and hockey. The thing my brother took away from that was just how great a person Briere was … that he took the time to talk to him and sign people’s jerseys, hats, whatever they had. It really made an impression on him, and he instantly was Johnny’s favorite player.

“It’s because of that, I also started wearing 48.”

To his surprise, Schaefer was given workout shirt 48 at the combine.

Briere appreciates the sentiment and thinks very highly of Matthew not only as a player, but a person.

“His interaction with people is very different than most,” Briere said. “It feels like you’re talking to a 30-year-old already. He’s very mature beyond his years. It’s hard to believe he’s only 17. It’s his energy. After you talk to him, you come away feeling good. He’s an impressive young man.

“Some team is going to get a very good player. There’s not much not to like about this kid.”

President Donald Trump is set to meet with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua in a golf outing. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported that the three are expected to discuss the future of college athletics as President Trump explores involvement in the industry.

The golf outing is set to take place at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey. The President was in attendance at UFC 316 in Newark, NJ Saturday night.

“The significance of the meeting cannot be overstated,” Dellenger wrote. “It comes two days after a California judge granted approval of a landmark legal settlement (House) that further evolves major college athletics into a more professionalized entity where schools will directly compensate athletes. The two men attending the Trump meeting hold significant decision-making power …

“The three men are expected to spend extended time together beyond their round of golf as NCAA leaders seek Congressional and White House assistance for a federal standard to stabilize and regulate what’s become an unruly structure. Trump has grown interested in the issues, even deeply exploring the possibility of issuing an executive order and creating a commission to study the many developments — such as player movement in the transfer portal, booster-backed compensation to athletes, and the impact on women and Olympic sports.”

Dellenger reported President Trump’s meeting with Sankey and Bevacqua could ultimately lead to action from the White House or even expedite Congressional negotiations over college sports legislation. The president created a commission and selected a chair group that would oversee the look to solve the issues in college athletics. President Trump even wanted to tap former Alabama head coach Nick Saban to lead the charge. The commission work was paused two weeks ago.

All of this is on the heels of the House Settlement which now allows colleges and universities to directly pay their athletes. It was a near $3 billion settlement.

The settlement also imposes new restrictions on college sports. An NIL clearinghouse will be established, titled “NIL Go” and run through Deloitte. All third-party NIL deals of $600 or more must be approved by the clearinghouse. 

If not approved, the settlement says a new third-party arbiter could deem athletes ineligible or result in a school being fined. In a gathering at the ACC spring meetings last week, Deloitte officials reportedly shared that 70% of past deals from NIL collectives would have been denied, while 90% of past deals from public companies would have been approved.

WEST SIDE — State Rep. Alec Ryncavage said this week that the response to the announcement of the newly formed West Side Regional Police Department has been positive.

That said, at this, point two communities have agreed to join the new unit — Larksville Borough and Edwardsville Borough. Ryncavage, R-Hanover Township, said he expects more towns will follow once the new regional department gets off the ground — which is targeted for Jan. 1, 2026.

“Starting with two is a more manageable process,” Ryncavage said. “Six out of the seven surrounding communities have also expressed an interest in regionalization, but final decisions (from them) have not been made at this time. As you can imagine, the communities will need to have their own internal discussions — but it is safe to say that the other communities will be watching when the West Side Regional Police Department officially launches next year and will probably make their decisions in short order after that.”

Understandably, Ryncavage said it is easier for a community to join an already established charter rather than create a new one. He said the process on how a community would join the regionalization is outlined in the group’s charter.

“Responses, on the whole, have been positive,” Ryncavage said. “As stated, the ultimate goal is to improve public safety, enhance service and deliver cost-effective policing.”

Earlier this week, Ryncavage announced the formation of the West Side Regional Police Commission — a commission that will oversee the creation and operation of the brand-new West Side Regional Police Department. The department will launch Jan. 1, 2026, and will — for now — support Edwardsville and Larksville boroughs.

Ryncavage said this effort marks a historic collaboration aimed at improving public safety, enhancing service and delivering more cost-effective policing for residents of both communities.

“Regionalization has been discussed for decades, but never realized, until now,” said Ryncavage. “From the beginning, we prioritized input from the men and women in uniform. Officers from both departments have been included at every step, and we had active participation from both Edwardsville and Larksville officers at each monthly meeting.”

Larksville Police Officer and Union Representative Craig Cebrick praised the collaboration throughout the process.

“From the start, our voices were heard,” Cebrick said. “It’s clear that this isn’t just a political exercise — this is about building a better department for the people we serve.”

Ryncavage said the regionalization process began in March 2023, when the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Center for Local Government Services completed a 90-page study analyzing both departments’ budgets, staffing models, coverage areas and operational challenges. Ryncavage joined DCED to present the findings last month at two separate sessions with borough officials and local police officers.

Expert consultant assigned to project

Ryncavage said DCED not only funded the study, but also assigned a peer police consultant to provide expert guidance to the commission — Chief David Mettin.

Ryncavage said Mettin currently serves as the Chief of Police for Plumstead Township in Bucks County and he has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience.

He began his career in Doylestown Township before serving as chief of police in Pennridge Regional and later Slate Belt Regional police departments. At Slate Belt, he led the consolidation of three municipal police departments into a single regional entity.

Mettin holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Temple University and a master’s degree in public safety administration from St. Joseph’s University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (203rd session).

Mettin is also an adjunct instructor at Bucks County Community College and has served as president of the Bucks County Chiefs of Police Association and Southeast Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.

Steering Committee formed

From the study, a steering committee was formed, which then drafted the West Side Regional Police Charter, formally establishing the department and the commission.

The charter took effect on Jan. 9, 2025, and was adopted by both borough councils through formal resolutions.

The five voting members of the West Side Regional Police Commission include:

• Chairman John Soprano, former Edwardsville police officer and current regional director of the narcotics bureau at the attorney general’s Wilkes-Barre Office.

• Vice Chairman Mike Lehman, Larksville Borough Council president and full-time Edwardsville police officer.

• Secretary/Treasurer Lisa Campbell, Edwardsville Borough Council member.

• Commission Member Lauren Austra, Larksville Borough Council member.

• Commission Member Dave Stochla, Edwardsville Borough Council president.

Per the charter, each borough nominates two elected officials, while the fifth member is an independent appointee. A coin toss determined that Edwardsville would select the independent member for the first one-year term — the position will alternate thereafter.

“We have an incredibly strong team,” said Ryncavage. “They bring first-hand knowledge of policing, local government and the needs of our neighborhoods. This wasn’t about politics — it was about getting the right people at the table.”

Soprano added, “This commission is committed to building a police force that reflects the values and needs of both boroughs. We’re focused on professionalism, community presence and accountability. While the department is beginning with Edwardsville and Larksville, once operational in January 2026, the West Side Regional Police Department will be open to neighboring communities interested in joining this shared service model.”

Lehman said, “We are no longer two departments competing for talent and resources. We are one team, working toward a common goal of public safety and service.”

Stochla noted, “Residents will benefit from better coverage, smarter resource deployment and a stronger police presence on our streets. It’s a win for both communities.”

Application process underway for chief

The commission has begun accepting applications for a chief of police who will be responsible for developing departmental policies, overseeing personnel, designing insignias and uniforms, and setting the tone for the new department.

“The commission is deeply committed to maintaining local identity and responsiveness,” Ryncavage said. “The new chief will help shape a department that feels local, looks local and serves local.”

According to the job posting, the salary range for the chief of the regional department would be $95,000 to $110,000.

Ryncavage said the months ahead will include finalizing a location for the headquarters, securing insurance, identifying grant opportunities and continuing outreach to residents. He said the regional department is expected to offer greater career growth opportunities for officers and improve the overall level of service.

‘Tireless commitment’

Ryncavage expressed deep gratitude for everyone who has played a role in bringing this vision to life.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless commitment of our borough managers, secretaries, council members, mayors, and especially the current and former officers and chiefs,” Ryncavage said. “Each of them chose to rise above individual interests and work toward something larger.”

Ryncavage went on to say, “It was strategic to begin with these two towns. We kept the group small to minimize politics and maximize progress. Edwardsville and Larksville were perfect candidates. They already serve the same region and were competing for the same officers. This model allows us to share costs, lighten the burden on local budgets and provide a higher standard of policing.

“I remember my time on Plymouth Borough Council when public safety costs consumed nearly 80% of our total budget. With regionalization, we create efficiencies, free up funding for other needs, and allow officers to grow into specialized roles — whether it’s investigations, traffic safety or community engagement.”