05/05/2005-Killingworth, CT One Hundred Fifty Games, One Hundred Ten Wins, Thirty Seven losses, Three ties, Six Team Championships (Hopefully Seven soon), Ten Years of Killingworth Guppies Hockey! Thursday night marked it all, It was ten years ago to the date that the Guppies first took to the dek in Waterbury, CT. Despite that teams mild success no one could ever imagine how this Non-professional Franchise would grow into the Hockey and Media Giant it is today. In Killingworth, players have a hard time walking down the street without being mobbed by fans of the Team. "It's really great how the Town has been behind us all the way" mentioned John Carroll at the team's 10th Anniversary party. "I can't thank them enough for everything they did for me thought my career". John is one of the last original three that played in the Guppies opener that warm spring night ten years ago. Brian Kelly and Marc Crayton were the other two player in uniform that night that are still on the roster today.

" To be here over the past ten years, has been a great ride, I'm looking forward to the next ten!" said Crayton " I've been fortunate to play with some great players during my time here"

Kelly seemed to agree with Crayton and Carroll " To see how far this organization has come both on and off the Dek, it's been a great Ten Years".

Kelly and Peter Fink founded the Guppies back in early 1995. "I'm sorry that Pete wasn't here to see the celebration tonight I'm sure he'd be impressed" stated Kelly. I was able to reach Fink at his Charlotte, NC home and he seemed pleased with the Guppies success but had one problem with the current guys "They owe me a Jersey"!

In 1996 the Guppies really made some great player personal moves that added to the core players the Guppies had in Carroll,Crayton, and Kelly. Players like Rob Murphy, Joe Linskey and Dave Armenia were signed to contracts in 1996 (Armenia played w/the Guppies in the 1995 Whalers Alumni Tournament but wasn't on their Waterbury Roster that season). This group would quickly gain success in Guppy Blue helping the Team win their first championship later that season. "I remember Kelly asking myself, Linskey, and Chris Malerba, about joining the team I must admit I had my reservations......The Killingworth Who?....What??" joked Murphy. Linskey was also unsure of the move "Kelly told me about the team and he mentioned he was one of the better players. I was like these guys must Suck! Luckily Kelly lied!".

The other current Guppies came to the team after the organization came back in 2001. Jason Zito signed in 01, While Halle signed in 2002, Dan Pequita and Tim Poulin signed on in 2003, and Craig Zito was signed in 2004. This group has really helped the Guppies reach a new level in the Roller Hockey world.

Despite all the teams current success it shouldn't be forgotten all of the hard work and dedication that many of the former Guppies put in to get this Team to get it where it is today. From the Tennis courts at Morgan School to the team that skates at the ZRink today. Killingworth has had a storied past. Not always the best story but a Storied past non the less. As the Hockey world celebrates the Gupps 10th Anniversary we here at the Killingworth Krier would like to acknowledge every Guppy player past and present! Below is the Guppies all time roster.

# 1 Chris Roman - 1995
# 2 John Carroll - 1995- current
# 3 Jason Zito- 2001 - current
# 4 Brian Mulcahy - 2001 - 2004
# 5/27 Tim Gessner - 1995-1997; 2002-2003
# 6 Mike Halle - 2002 - current
# 7 Jay Roman - 1995
# 7/33 Thomas Mierkiewicz - 2001 - 2004
# 8 Joel Burzenski - 1995 - 1996
# 9 Peter Fink - 1995 - 1998
#10 Rich Glass - 1995
# 11 Brian Kelly - 1995 - Current
# 16 Brian Blair - 1995 - 2001
# 17 Jason Prozzo - 1998
# 17 Tim Poulin - 2003 - Current
# 22/88 Robert Murphy - 1996 - Current
# 25 Michael Szwed - 2002
# 32 David Armenia - 1996 - Current
# 34 Joseph Linskey - 1996 - Current
# 35 Daniel Pequita - 2003 - Current
# 66 Nick Bousquet - 1996
# 67 Steve Fink - 1995; 1997
# 78 Jamie Smith - 2001
# 78 Craig Zito - 2004 - Current
# 91 Kyle Bilafer - 1995; 1997
# 97/27 Marc Crayton - 1995 - Current
# 99 Gregory Bousquet - 1995
# 00 Brendan Leahy - 1997; 2003