Kevin Killeen
Killeen.Kevin@wgecho.org
After not competing last year due to lack of players, the Skatesmen Hockey players will finally unpack their jerseys and return to the ice for the 2012 season.
“I’m excited to play with Webster again,” said senior forward Breck Pepple. “It’s gonna be a season full of dangles, glove side snipes and cellies.”
The 2012 roster includes just five seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and six freshmen.
Although the team only has one veteran line, senior forward Payne Alexander said, “Everybody who’s playing wants to be there. The younger folks are definitely going to have to step up, but we should see a pretty good season.”
During the 2010 season, the Skatesmen boasted a line up of primarily seniors and few underclassmen. The team competed in the Challenge Cup — the most competitive division. It made it to the semi-final round of the State playoffs, and lost to State champions, CBC. After graduating 13 players, the Skatesmen were just a few players short of forming a team in the 2011 season.
During that season, most of the remaining Skatesmen had to play for other teams. Seniors Anton Frommelt, Cole Rosin and Breck Pepple played for Parkway north, while seniors Payne Alexander and Phil Solari played for select teams.
“I was still playing club hockey, but it was like a void of fun not being with my friends outside of class,” said Alexander.
After being separated for a year, some team members felt relieved to finally play together again.
“I’m excited to play with Webster again, especially because it’s my senior year,” said Pepple. “It’s the return of the Skatesmen.”
For the 2012 season, the Skatesmen compete in the less competitive division, the Wickenheiser Cup.
“If we would play in the Wickenheiser playoffs, that would be a very successful season,” said head coach Dave Garth. The team said it needs as much fan support as it can get for its first season back together.
“We want as much fan support as we can get,” said Alexander. “We moved down a division, so we should have a pretty successful season, but fan support will still be key. It’s what gives us a lot of motivation.”
The first home game of the regular season is scheduled for Nov. 3, at 8:45 p.m. Admission is $5.
