Boys Hockey Beat
By: Michael Yang
The boys hockey team is ready to return to the ice after a long awaited opening of campus after the remote start of winter term. Although only a third of the hockey team was present on campus during the fall term, the team has finally come together to make the best of the end of the winter season. When asked for the plan regarding the rest of the season, head Coach Barbin explained his proposal, “For the varsity players who are now here on campus, we will add JV players to the mix and have intrasquad scrimmages combined with practices.”
In the fall, after the initial fourteen-day quarantine period, another setback followed. Prep teammate Eli Pendergrass testified, “The shutdown of all New Hampshire hockey forced us to wait an additional four weeks until we were able to get out on the ice.” Although this proved to be another obstacle for the team, they have high hopes of closing out the season strong.
Lower teammate Jack O’Brien added, “For those weeks while the rink was closed, we trained off the ice, on the track, out at hatch field, as well as ran on the trails as a team.”
Prep teammate Jack Gordon mentions his positive outlook on the current practices of the team. “We practiced nearly everyday, and had lots of time to work. I was very pleased with how the fall played out after the original quarantine period.”
Senior Justin Fedele reflects on Gordon’s comments on the new strength and training practices with COVID-19 restrictions, “Personally, I trained in the weight room and was able to work with Coach Fish on my strength and conditioning, which was a great perk to have.”
Prep Baron Masopust summarized these new practices, saying, “It was good to meet some of the boys, as well as sharpen our skills.”
Many players have also been strengthening their own game at home with various junior teams across the country. Masopust said, “I was practicing with an under 18 team, allowing me to play with guys that were much bigger, faster, stronger, and older, all in preparation for the hopeful season next year.”
Some of the players who lived in the New England area were given the opportunity to have some interstate games, as long as players wore a mask on and off the ice, and adhered to the social distancing guidelines. O’Brien expanded, “I had practiced with a team that consisted of a few Exeter teammates along with kids from other prep schools who had their season canceled.”
Looking forward, “whether it's a lot of the team being off campus, or the games getting canceled, the only thing that will resemble some sort of normalcy is going to be the practices,” O’Brien continued. “For me I’m just looking forward to the ice time and getting ready for next season, even if that means playing no real games while on campus.”
Although PEA boys hockey has begun practices again, players still express their disappointment of not having a normal season, “I'm looking forward to just being able to move and play again, because it really sucks not being able to practice a sport that you love,” Fedele expresses. “I definitely like the idea of having real scrimmages with refs on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which should make things seem a little more real.”
Gordon put it simply, “definitely looking forward to getting back on the ice and practicing.”
Pendergrass reflected on the current situation. “It's been unfortunate that we haven't been able to have a normal season, but there have still been options for many of us to get on the ice one way or another.”
Masopust testified to Pendergrass’s words, “Hockey is one of those special sports where you really make friendships with your teammates and you feel like brothers.”
