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November 15, 2005
Mens hockey starts down the road to rebuilding
The mens hockey team is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the mens soccer by making it to playoffs.
First-year head coach Scott Bell knows that the hockey team hasn’t performed so well in the past few years with a final record of 7-42-1 since 2003. However, it’s a new season with a new team and new hope.
“Our minimum goal for the season is to make the MIAC playoffs and get a chance to compete for a championship,” Bell said.
“You should set your goals high. Anybody with any kind of competitive spirit always goes into a game thinking they’re going to win.”
Hamline has only seven returners, five of whom are seniors. The 28 new skaters might have the freshness needed to turn the program around.
Senior defensemen Shane Wagner and Ben Gustafson will show four other first-years how the game is played, while they serve as anchors along the blue line. Wagner has been given All-MIAC honorable mention twice. Last season, he was Hamline’s third leading scorer with three goals and 11 assists for 14 points. Gustafson had one goal and seven assists.
The team is relying on young forwards to put the puck in the net.
“Dustin Fulton, Joe Long, and Justin Hanna are as good as any line in the MIAC,” Bell said of the first-years.
The team is also banking on first-years Steve Festlyer and Luke Chilson and returners seniors Mike Forconi and Griffin Kilby to put the puck in the net.
“Those are a few of the players we’re going to rely on for offense, but every player will have a role in our team’s success,” Bell said.
Sophomore Todor Petkov and first-year Cameron Voss will by vying for the starting goaltender position. Petkov is a transfer student from Northland College where he played in 26 games last season.
Sophomore Adam Talatinick and first-year Drew Hage are Hamline’s other goalies.
“If you don’t have high expectations, you end up where you were in the past. I think everyone is really excited and realizes that we have an opportunity to be successful and move this program forward in the right direction.” Bell said.
Posted by msveum at November 15, 2005 12:10 PM
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