Talkin Sports n' More

Local Historian Documents Savin Rock's Sports History Through Debut Book

Dominic Konareski has long been a familiar and respected name in Connecticut’s local sports circles, and to kick off 2026 he added a new title to his résumé: Published Author. Konareski, a local sports historian and sports journalist, has released his first-ever book, Gloves, Engines & Glory: The Complete History of Savin Rock’s Golden Age of Sports . This deeply researched work captures nearly a century of athletic life along West Haven’s famed shoreline. For years, Konar

NYSS Admin

Jan 143 min read

West Haven Hockey To Celebrate 100th Season This Saturday

In the midst of year 100 as a hockey program, the West Haven Blue Devils have built up a legacy of winning, discipline and even pro hockey talent. Hockey at West Haven High goes back just after the First World War ended, with the forming of multiple New Haven area teams. West Haven and several other teams were formalized in 1926, following the upcoming opening of New Haven Arena in 1927. West Haven was one of the founding member schools / programs being just one of 12 high s

Dominic Konareski

Jan 52 min read

Nathan Mann vs Eddie Blunt At Savin Rock's White City Stadium

As seen in the West Haven Voice November 27th, 2025, edition. See the original article here. Usually once a week I scroll on eBay looking for West Haven sports history memorabilia, mainly surrounding the West Haven Yankees and racing programs from Donovan Field as I collect game programs, tickets and really anything having to do with West Haven sporting history. Several days ago I happened to come across a ticket stub from Savin Rock’s White City Stadium, featuring a boxing

Dominic Konareski

Dec 16, 20252 min read

West Haven Native Tapped To Be Nationals Next Pitching Coach

Mid November featured a new career opportunity for West Haven native Simon Mathews in Major League Baseball. Mathews, a former minor league player himself, was hired by the Washington Nationals to be the team’s next pitching coach. Mathews had his 30th birthday in September and joined Washington as part of the front office push for a youth movement after spending time with the Cincinnati Reds as an assistant pitching coach. Mathews grew up in West Haven, Connecticut, but atte

Dominic Konareski

Dec 3, 20252 min read

West Haven Football In Need Of Thanksgiving Miracle To Make Playoffs

It seems it has always fallen on the thanksgiving game for West Haven the past four years now, going onto five. In terms of making the playoffs or having the chance of a higher season. It has fallen on the 10th and last game of the Blue Devils season to be the ultimate decider. A 4-5 standing West Haven team is getting ready to close out its worst season since 2019, but everything that has happened in the regular season won’t matter if West Haven makes the playoffs. A fresh s

Dominic Konareski

Nov 24, 20251 min read

How Ken Strong Stadium Got Its Name

As seen in the West Haven Voice November 13th, 2025, edition. See the original article here . The majority of West Haven residents have likely heard the name of Ken Strong, especially if they have attended any West Haven sporting events at the high school. Ken Strong Stadium is home to the Blue Devils home turf for football, lacrosse and soccer and the surrounding track for track and field. But who is Ken Strong exactly, and why does he have an entire stadium named after him?

Dominic Konareski

Nov 19, 20253 min read

West Haven Hockey Releases 2025/26 Schedule, Will Face Multiple Out-Of-State Teams

West Haven High School is gearing up for what is their centennial season with their hockey program. After adding Branford over the offseason, the Blue Devils co-op squad now consists of Shelton, Seymour, Oxford and Branford. West Haven goes into the 2025/26 season looking to improve from what was a 7-11-2 campaign last year, which was the team’s worst season yet since dropping down to Division II hockey. The Blue Devils will open up their season with a scrimmage on December 5

Dominic Konareski

Nov 17, 20252 min read

West Haven's Second-Half Rally Keeps Playoff Dreams Alive

A three game losing skid that saw West Haven winless for nearly an entire month finally ended on Friday when the team played a non-league bout vs Fitch. West Haven entered the beginning of their road trip with a 3-4 record, as they searched to get back at the .500% column. The Blue Devils also went into Groton out of a playoff spot, as the team was essentially in a must-win situation. Being down 18-7 at the half lit a fire that the Devils desperately needed. Now I don’t know

Dominic Konareski

Nov 10, 20251 min read

Blue Devils Out Of Playoff Picture After Back-To-Back Losses

The Blue Devils are 3-3 through their first six games of the season. The .500% mark under first-year Devils’ head coach Tom Unger has seen close-net losses against Staples and Fairfield Prep, along with a blowout against Cheshire where West Haven was shutout. The West Haven v. Cheshire game was an ugly one for the Westies, which saw them bleed blue. A 35-0 beating started with a Rams opening 15-run drive that shaved 9 minutes off the clock. Overall, Cheshire would run for ove

Dominic Konareski

Oct 28, 20252 min read

Branford Hockey Joins West Haven Co-op Ahead Of 2025/26 Season

The last five years has seen rapid changes for West Haven High hockey. 2022 marked the first season that the team would be a co-op after a lack of interest. 2023 would then see the drop down to DII, ending an era of Division I hockey that spanned over 75 years. Now in 2025, West Haven hockey is now adding a team to their co-op list and it’s a familiar rival. Branford. Players from Shelton, Seymour and Oxford have been allowed to join West Haven since 2022 and now Branford.

Dominic Konareski

Oct 17, 20252 min read