This year’s boys varsity hockey team has started hot as they look to build off of their momentum from last year’s season. The squad only lost one senior, and they have returned the majority of their offensive production.
A plethora of upperclassmen lead the team this year. Senior captain defensemen Dalton Smith and senior captain wing Ryan Munz command the team on the ice with their experience and talent. Both of them are four-year varsity players and bring a critical skill set to the team this season.
On December 6, the Wyverns faced off against Wilbraham and Munson and came out victorious 6-4. It was an impressive showing from the team, with goals from Smith, senior wing Krish Patel, sophomore wing Dhilan Patel, senior forward Colton Bischoff, and senior wing Dan Petruzella. It was a phenomenal offensive performance, and the Wyverns will build on the momentum from this game.
As the squad looks ahead at the rest of the season, they’re looking forward to several games. “I’m looking forward to playing on Hockey Night because it is a popular event for the school,” Munz said. “I also look forward to playing both Rye Country Day and King because year in and out we compete with them for the top of our league.”
The team’s biggest strength this season is their ability to put the puck in the back of the net, especially on power plays. This is a significant advantage, and strong play on the power play will be essential to the Wyverns’ success. Additionally, the team has great chemistry and they’re very close with one another, which is critical for practice and games. Everyone has the same work ethic and is in agreement that to succeed, everyone needs to buy in.
From last year to now, the team has improved in playing as a team rather than individually. Hockey is all about playing with the other people on the rink, and the team has become so much more successful in this regard. “Personally, the area I have seen the most improvement in is my willingness to block shots,” Munz said. “I have become fearless on the rink.”
These improvements and this mentality have shown up in the Wyverns’ first game and are expected to be prevalent throughout the season. The Wyvern community is looking forward to seeing how the hockey team continues to do as their season continues. We also can’t wait for Hockey Night!
