ENFIELD, CT — The young coach who built a successful ice hockey program at Enrico Fermi High School in the 1970s will be honored this fall by the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ed Mantenuto, who started the program from scratch in 1973 and instilled a winning work ethic in his players from day one, will be the recipient of the George Daly Special Recognition Award at the 24th annual Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame induction dinner on Sept. 6. "This is really exciting, I am stunned," Mantenuto said Wednesday in a phone interview with Patch.

Now 71, Mantenuto was a 26-year-old teacher at the former Kosciuszko Junior High School in 1973 when he was hired to helm the first-ever hockey program at Fermi. Despite some initial setbacks, including lack of a home rink in town and players having to don football jerseys for their earliest games, the program was a success right out of the gate. The Falcons finished 11-9 in their inaugural campaign, missing out on a state tournament berth due to a schedule technicality. In 1974-75, Fermi went undefeated in the CCIL, capturing the school's first championship in any sport.

In five seasons through the 1977-78 season, Fermi never had a losing record, and advanced to the state semifinals in the winter of 1978. Following that season, Mantenuto accompanied his team to a European tournament in the Netherlands, then left Enfield to accept a vice principal position in Holliston, Mass. "I admired and respected those teams; they did so much," Mantenuto said.

He said the highlight of his career was a shocking 3-2 upset of perennial hockey power Hamden in the 1978 CIAC Division I quarterfinals.

Mantenuto was known as an aggressive coach who drew every last ounce of ability from his players, who in turn regarded him as a highly-respected mentor. He expected nothing less than 100 percent hustle at all times.

Former players and even opponents expressed their admiration for Mantenuto on Facebook. "Awesome and encouraging coach, even when on the opposing team," said Greg Massey, who played for crosstown rival Enfield High School.