From Underdogs to Champions: J & K Trash Removal Wins It All
Crowned 2026 CCHL Champions
Crowned 2026 CCHL Champions
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August 6, 2026 • IceWorks Skating Complex • Aston, PA
Attendance: 73
Boxscore
If there were a Corey Smythe Trophy for the CCHL Final, Nolan Zotter would have been the unanimous selection. The dynamic forward factored in on every J & K Trash Removal goal, finishing the night with one goal and three assists in a dominant four-point championship performance.
Powered by Zotter's four-point night, Riley Mullen's three-assist performance, and outstanding goaltending from Michael "Mikey" Manzi, J & K Trash Removal captured its first-ever CCHL Championship with a 4-1 victory over Kubicek Electric.
Championship night delivered everything you could ask for. A crowd of 73 fans packed IceWorks to watch two teams chase history. Kubicek Electric, formerly known as Greenville Car Wash, was seeking its first championship under its new name, while J & K Trash Removal was looking to capture the organization's first title. Either way, a new champion would be crowned.
From the opening faceoff, both teams came ready to play. The pace was relentless with end-to-end action, quality scoring chances, blocked shots, physical play, and two teams leaving everything they had on the ice. It was evident from the opening shift that both clubs understood what was at stake.
J & K Trash Removal broke through just before the 11-minute mark of the opening period. Nolan Zotter carried the puck into the offensive zone, cut toward the middle, and threaded a perfect pass to Cam Bergeman, who tipped it over Brendahn Brawley's glove for the game's opening goal and a 1-0 lead. That would be the only goal of an outstanding first period. Brawley and Manzi were spectacular in their respective nets, the pace never slowed, and neither team gave an inch. It was exactly what you'd expect from a Corey Cup Final.
J & K Trash Removal continued to set the tone early in the second period. Team captain Jeremy Snyder sacrificed his body by blocking a shot with his ankle, displaying the type of leadership championship teams are built on. Moments later, Kubicek Electric captain Kenny Trentowski answered with a pair of fearless blocked shots of his own, showing the same determination and willingness to do whatever it took to keep his team in the game. It was the kind of leadership both captains displayed all season.
Five minutes into the period, the score remained 1-0 before J & K Trash Removal found another gear offensively. Riley Mullen carried the puck down the right wing and delivered a perfect feed to Nolan Zotter, who buried a one-touch finish through Brawley's five-hole to double the lead. Sebastian Thomas picked up the secondary assist, giving Zotter his second of four points on the night.
With just 30 seconds remaining in the period, Mullen struck again as the playmaker. After taking a return pass from Zotter, the speedy defenseman drove wide before finding Sebastian Thomas alone in the slot. Thomas wasted no time, one-timing a shot over Brawley's glove to send J & K Trash Removal into the second intermission with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Despite allowing three goals, Brawley was phenomenal. He made save after save throughout the night and kept Kubicek Electric within striking distance. Without his effort, the score could have been much more lopsided.
Kubicek Electric controlled much of the early play in the third period, emptying the tank in an attempt to climb back into the game. A power play generated several dangerous opportunities, but Manzi was outstanding between the pipes. Time after time he denied quality scoring chances while J & K Trash Removal continued to play disciplined, team-first hockey with an outstanding zone defense that frustrated every attack.
With 6:30 remaining, Kubicek Electric finally broke through. Kyle Reed drove down the right wing before sliding a perfect cross-ice pass to Pierre Larocque. One of the league's brightest young talents, Larocque wasted no time stepping into a wrist shot from the top of the circle that rang in off the far post over Manzi's glove, cutting the lead to 3-1 and breathing life into Kubicek Electric's comeback hopes. John Dennis picked up the secondary assist on the play.
Despite the deficit, Kubicek Electric never stopped competing, forcing J & K Trash Removal to earn every inch of the championship over the final minutes.
But J & K Trash Removal never blinked. With just 41 seconds remaining, wily veteran Ryan Dumbach calmly buried the empty-net goal to put the finishing touches on a 4-1 victory. Zotter and Mullen were credited with the assists, giving Zotter a four-point night (1 goal, 3 assists) and Mullen a three-assist championship performance.
⭐ First Star – Nolan Zotter (J & K Trash Removal): 1 Goal, 3 Assists
⭐⭐ Second Star – Riley Mullen (J & K Trash Removal): 3 Assists
⭐⭐⭐ Third Star – Michael Manzi (J & K Trash Removal): Turned aside numerous Grade-A scoring chances to backstop his club to its first CCHL Championship.
The celebration that followed was years in the making. Veterans Jeremy Snyder and Ryan Dumbach, who entered the CCHL together in 2018, finally reached the mountaintop after years of chasing a championship.
Team captain Snyder reflected on what the title meant. "It feels great. We've got a great group of guys in here. The young guys really stepped up, we got great goaltending, and it just feels nice to finally get our name engraved with history."
Dumbach, who had been moved from defense to forward earlier in the season before scoring the championship-clinching empty-net goal, smiled while reflecting on the journey. "These young kids are lucky—it took me nine years to get my name on the Cup. Heck, Monday night was our first playoff win in nine years. If I didn't move to forward, I don't think we'd be here today," he said with a laugh. "I'm just kidding... but it sure feels good to finally get this done."
For two players who entered the league together, the championship was the culmination of years of commitment, perseverance, and coming up just short. This time, they finished the job together and will forever have their names engraved on the Cup.
Robbie Hennessey, who previously won the cup in 2018 alongside several members of the Kubicek Electric roster, was thrilled to once again celebrate a championship. "That's a tough team over there. They've got a lot of top-quality guys. You never take winning one of these for granted, but winning with this group for their first time makes it even more special."
One of the biggest offseason additions made an immediate impact. Riley Mullen, now a back-to-back CCHL Champion, may very well be the youngest player in CCHL history to win back-to-back championships. After J & K Trash Removal jokingly "traded away the house and cash considerations" to bring him aboard this summer, Mullen wasted no time proving the move was worth it, finishing the championship game with three assists.
Mullen reflected on both the victory and finding a new hockey home. "You always hope a move like that pays off. This is a great group of guys, and from day one they've made me feel like part of the team. Winning a championship in my first season here is pretty special, and I can definitely see myself playing with this group for a long time."
As another fantastic CCHL season comes to a close, several people deserve special recognition.
A huge thank you to Sean Monaghan for once again providing the championship hats. As always, you've got to win 'em to wear 'em, and the boys certainly earned that privilege. The hats looked fantastic, and we truly appreciate Sean's continued generosity and support of the league. Although Sean couldn't be there on championship night, seeing one of his hats resting on the ice during the celebration was a fitting reminder that he was still part of the moment. We only wish he could have been in the team photo and on the ice celebrating with the boys.
Another enormous thank you goes to Bill Crawford and Alex Clark. The work you both do behind the scenes is invaluable. Alex, our one and only scorekeeper, is always dialed in—stopping the clock the second a puck leaves the playing surface, keeping an accurate shot count, and making sure every game is tracked from start to finish. The players appreciate the attention to detail and, more than anything, the fact they know Alex will be there every single night. Bill, meanwhile, is as much a part of the league as anyone. Whether he's wheeling around during pregame warmups with the boys, sending out his game-day motivational texts, or helping organize the officials, Bill's enthusiasm and dedication never go unnoticed. Together, the two of you show up every single night, never miss a game, and do whatever it takes to keep the CCHL running smoothly. I truly couldn't do it without the two of you.
Finally, thank you to all of our team captains. Building balanced teams, communicating with players, and helping throughout the season makes my job significantly easier. Your willingness to volunteer your time is a huge reason why this league continues to be so competitive and enjoyable year after year.
While it's always bittersweet to see another season come to an end, this summer once again reminded us why the Corey Cup Hockey League is so special.
Great hockey. Fierce competition. Old friendships. New rivalries. And a group of players who simply love the game.
The countdown to the 2027 Cup starts now.
– Jeff Corey
CCHL Commissioner
Attendance: 73
Boxscore
If there were a Corey Smythe Trophy for the CCHL Final, Nolan Zotter would have been the unanimous selection. The dynamic forward factored in on every J & K Trash Removal goal, finishing the night with one goal and three assists in a dominant four-point championship performance.
Powered by Zotter's four-point night, Riley Mullen's three-assist performance, and outstanding goaltending from Michael "Mikey" Manzi, J & K Trash Removal captured its first-ever CCHL Championship with a 4-1 victory over Kubicek Electric.
Championship night delivered everything you could ask for. A crowd of 73 fans packed IceWorks to watch two teams chase history. Kubicek Electric, formerly known as Greenville Car Wash, was seeking its first championship under its new name, while J & K Trash Removal was looking to capture the organization's first title. Either way, a new champion would be crowned.
From the opening faceoff, both teams came ready to play. The pace was relentless with end-to-end action, quality scoring chances, blocked shots, physical play, and two teams leaving everything they had on the ice. It was evident from the opening shift that both clubs understood what was at stake.
J & K Trash Removal broke through just before the 11-minute mark of the opening period. Nolan Zotter carried the puck into the offensive zone, cut toward the middle, and threaded a perfect pass to Cam Bergeman, who tipped it over Brendahn Brawley's glove for the game's opening goal and a 1-0 lead. That would be the only goal of an outstanding first period. Brawley and Manzi were spectacular in their respective nets, the pace never slowed, and neither team gave an inch. It was exactly what you'd expect from a Corey Cup Final.
J & K Trash Removal continued to set the tone early in the second period. Team captain Jeremy Snyder sacrificed his body by blocking a shot with his ankle, displaying the type of leadership championship teams are built on. Moments later, Kubicek Electric captain Kenny Trentowski answered with a pair of fearless blocked shots of his own, showing the same determination and willingness to do whatever it took to keep his team in the game. It was the kind of leadership both captains displayed all season.
Five minutes into the period, the score remained 1-0 before J & K Trash Removal found another gear offensively. Riley Mullen carried the puck down the right wing and delivered a perfect feed to Nolan Zotter, who buried a one-touch finish through Brawley's five-hole to double the lead. Sebastian Thomas picked up the secondary assist, giving Zotter his second of four points on the night.
With just 30 seconds remaining in the period, Mullen struck again as the playmaker. After taking a return pass from Zotter, the speedy defenseman drove wide before finding Sebastian Thomas alone in the slot. Thomas wasted no time, one-timing a shot over Brawley's glove to send J & K Trash Removal into the second intermission with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Despite allowing three goals, Brawley was phenomenal. He made save after save throughout the night and kept Kubicek Electric within striking distance. Without his effort, the score could have been much more lopsided.
Kubicek Electric controlled much of the early play in the third period, emptying the tank in an attempt to climb back into the game. A power play generated several dangerous opportunities, but Manzi was outstanding between the pipes. Time after time he denied quality scoring chances while J & K Trash Removal continued to play disciplined, team-first hockey with an outstanding zone defense that frustrated every attack.
With 6:30 remaining, Kubicek Electric finally broke through. Kyle Reed drove down the right wing before sliding a perfect cross-ice pass to Pierre Larocque. One of the league's brightest young talents, Larocque wasted no time stepping into a wrist shot from the top of the circle that rang in off the far post over Manzi's glove, cutting the lead to 3-1 and breathing life into Kubicek Electric's comeback hopes. John Dennis picked up the secondary assist on the play.
Despite the deficit, Kubicek Electric never stopped competing, forcing J & K Trash Removal to earn every inch of the championship over the final minutes.
But J & K Trash Removal never blinked. With just 41 seconds remaining, wily veteran Ryan Dumbach calmly buried the empty-net goal to put the finishing touches on a 4-1 victory. Zotter and Mullen were credited with the assists, giving Zotter a four-point night (1 goal, 3 assists) and Mullen a three-assist championship performance.
⭐ First Star – Nolan Zotter (J & K Trash Removal): 1 Goal, 3 Assists
⭐⭐ Second Star – Riley Mullen (J & K Trash Removal): 3 Assists
⭐⭐⭐ Third Star – Michael Manzi (J & K Trash Removal): Turned aside numerous Grade-A scoring chances to backstop his club to its first CCHL Championship.
The celebration that followed was years in the making. Veterans Jeremy Snyder and Ryan Dumbach, who entered the CCHL together in 2018, finally reached the mountaintop after years of chasing a championship.
Team captain Snyder reflected on what the title meant. "It feels great. We've got a great group of guys in here. The young guys really stepped up, we got great goaltending, and it just feels nice to finally get our name engraved with history."
Dumbach, who had been moved from defense to forward earlier in the season before scoring the championship-clinching empty-net goal, smiled while reflecting on the journey. "These young kids are lucky—it took me nine years to get my name on the Cup. Heck, Monday night was our first playoff win in nine years. If I didn't move to forward, I don't think we'd be here today," he said with a laugh. "I'm just kidding... but it sure feels good to finally get this done."
For two players who entered the league together, the championship was the culmination of years of commitment, perseverance, and coming up just short. This time, they finished the job together and will forever have their names engraved on the Cup.
Robbie Hennessey, who previously won the cup in 2018 alongside several members of the Kubicek Electric roster, was thrilled to once again celebrate a championship. "That's a tough team over there. They've got a lot of top-quality guys. You never take winning one of these for granted, but winning with this group for their first time makes it even more special."
One of the biggest offseason additions made an immediate impact. Riley Mullen, now a back-to-back CCHL Champion, may very well be the youngest player in CCHL history to win back-to-back championships. After J & K Trash Removal jokingly "traded away the house and cash considerations" to bring him aboard this summer, Mullen wasted no time proving the move was worth it, finishing the championship game with three assists.
Mullen reflected on both the victory and finding a new hockey home. "You always hope a move like that pays off. This is a great group of guys, and from day one they've made me feel like part of the team. Winning a championship in my first season here is pretty special, and I can definitely see myself playing with this group for a long time."
As another fantastic CCHL season comes to a close, several people deserve special recognition.
A huge thank you to Sean Monaghan for once again providing the championship hats. As always, you've got to win 'em to wear 'em, and the boys certainly earned that privilege. The hats looked fantastic, and we truly appreciate Sean's continued generosity and support of the league. Although Sean couldn't be there on championship night, seeing one of his hats resting on the ice during the celebration was a fitting reminder that he was still part of the moment. We only wish he could have been in the team photo and on the ice celebrating with the boys.
Another enormous thank you goes to Bill Crawford and Alex Clark. The work you both do behind the scenes is invaluable. Alex, our one and only scorekeeper, is always dialed in—stopping the clock the second a puck leaves the playing surface, keeping an accurate shot count, and making sure every game is tracked from start to finish. The players appreciate the attention to detail and, more than anything, the fact they know Alex will be there every single night. Bill, meanwhile, is as much a part of the league as anyone. Whether he's wheeling around during pregame warmups with the boys, sending out his game-day motivational texts, or helping organize the officials, Bill's enthusiasm and dedication never go unnoticed. Together, the two of you show up every single night, never miss a game, and do whatever it takes to keep the CCHL running smoothly. I truly couldn't do it without the two of you.
Finally, thank you to all of our team captains. Building balanced teams, communicating with players, and helping throughout the season makes my job significantly easier. Your willingness to volunteer your time is a huge reason why this league continues to be so competitive and enjoyable year after year.
While it's always bittersweet to see another season come to an end, this summer once again reminded us why the Corey Cup Hockey League is so special.
Great hockey. Fierce competition. Old friendships. New rivalries. And a group of players who simply love the game.
The countdown to the 2027 Cup starts now.
– Jeff Corey
CCHL Commissioner
