Congrats to Max Dabruzzo and Max Epstein

Two Frederick Freeze 18U UA players, Max Epstein and Max Dabruzzo, represented our organization at the 2023 JCC Maccabi Games in Israel, July 6th through July 13th.

The JCC Maccabi Games is a week-long Olympic-style sports competition that began in 1982. The event gives teens a chance to meet other Jewish youth while participating in the sports they love. This July saw more than 1,000 Jewish teens from around the world participating in athletic events.

Both players suited up for the J-Team, a tournament team consisting of players from New York, Connecticut, Florida, and of course, Maryland! The J-Team finished the round-robin 3-0-1 (10 points), defeating Team Vancouver 8-3, Team Israel 6-1, and Team Detroit 8-2, while tying Team Philadelphia 2-2.

Onto the medal round, where the J-Team entered as the #2 seed!

Up next, Team Toronto, who the J-Team quickly eliminated 5-0. With the win, a re-match with Team Philadelphia was on the horizon. This time, however, the J-Team showed no affection for the City of Brotherly Love, easily beating them 6-2. The gold medal game awaits! The J-Team would drop the puck against Team Montreal for the championship. Despite a valiant effort against the bigger, faster Team Montreal, the J-Team fell 3-0, capturing the silver medal!

Following the Maccabi Games, both Epstein and Dabruzzo embarked on an educational travel and volunteer experience that took them to all corners of Israel, including the cities of Haifa, Tiberius, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem!