Whether it was clothes, a bedroom or parental attention, Kalib and Riley Capecci were practically born to share.
Last year, the identical twins got to share something truly special as high school hockey players. The Capecci boys were part of a Saint Augustine Preparatory state championship team that defied the odds as a No. 7 seed and brought home the school’s second hockey state title in school history and first since 2007. Needless to say, some memorable moments were being shared across the dinner table at the end of the day.
“I actually didn’t play that much in the beginning of the year,” Riley recalled. “But once I did, it was really cool playing on the same team [with Kalib]. And being able to win something big like that with your brother was incredible.”
Riley is now a junior forward on the powerful Hermits’ team and has contributed six goals and three assists in Saint Augustine’s first 12 games. Kalib is an offensive-minded defenseman who has racked up three goals and seven assists in the same time frame. Because they play different positions, the Capeccis aren’t always on the ice together, but they do show flashes of chemistry when the opportunity presents itself, like Kalib assisting Riley on the game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory over Delbarton on Jan. 25.
“It’s been a pleasure to coach them the last three years because I had them at the JV level first,” Hermits coach Roman Ammirato said. “I’ve gotten to see them develop. They are big, strong kids now with a lot of talent who have potential to play at the higher levels. They really bring a lot to the table, and they are great kids to coach.”
Ammirato, a 2011 Saint Augustine graduate, played Division I hockey at Union College and played professionally in the East Coast Hockey League for the Tulsa Oilers, Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Norfolk Admirals before returning home to coach. He rarely has to act as referee, as the Capecci brothers are usually civil with each other despite being competitive.
Practices are different as forwards go against defensemen. It harkens back to their childhood, when neither Capecci would give an inch, even if it was just a game of Mini Sticks in a hotel hallway.
“Growing up, we would always play mini hockey with the little sticks and the ball and little nets in the hallways,” Riley said. “That was the most competitive we’d get. We’d get a good sweat out of that. It’s always a battle to see who can be better and score more points for bragging rights.”
The Capecci brothers have come a long way since those childhood games. Last year’s championship run was one for the ages, as the Hermits knocked off the top three seeds in the Non-Public state tournament, which included a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over top-seeded Delbarton in the championship game at the Prudential Center in Newark.
The Hermits followed a learning curve throughout the season, which included some tough losses in the regular season, before ending up with a 14-6-3 overall record.
“[Christian Brothers Academy] was so good, so when it was time to play them in the regular season, I thought there was no way we could win. They beat us 6-3. But I remember thinking, ‘OK, they’re not as good as I thought.’ And the same thing with Delbarton, who beat us 4-1. They weren’t that much better than us. So going into the playoffs, our captains Ryan Vaites and Enzo Fanelli and our seniors had the energy in the locker room. Everyone knew we could win.”
And then it started happening.
“It was certainly something extremely special that I don’t even know if it’s really sunk in yet,” Ammirato said. “Our staff worked so hard behind the scenes to help, and I’m very lucky. I played hockey 27 years and was never really a part of something that special. It was truly incredible.”
The Hermits are hoping for a second helping this year. With a 9-3 record through Jan. 25, Saint Augustine has once again established itself as a power. Only this year, there’s a little added confidence knowing they have what it takes to pull off upsets.
“This year, we have a higher standard, and our coaches set one, too,” Kalib said. “Now, it’s frustrating only beating CBA 4-3.”
Added Riley, “It’s the talk of the family, and the talk of the whole Prep, too. After one big win, we would get another one. And after each big win, we just started thinking about how to get the next one. It was cool having all the students in school being like, ‘Hey are you going to win this or what?’”
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