JOHN CULLEN
Special to The Leader
After a frustrating season which saw the Blue Devils go winless in SUNYAC conference play, the Fredonia men’s ice hockey team has retooled their strategy for what should be an exciting year of hockey.
With last season’s struggles in the rearview, there is a notably different feel surrounding the team this October. The boys in blue went back to the drawing board to make certain the goals set for this year do not go unfulfilled.
“We expect to bring the excitement back to Fredonia hockey,” said Assistant Coach Mike Lysyj. “We have a lot to prove this season, and we know that it will take every player, coach and staff member to make it a reality. Everybody ropes, everybody rides.”
The march to SUNYAC playoffs will begin with senior defenseman Ryan Wilkinson wearing the “C” while Mitch Kaufman, Hunter Long and Taylor Bourne will be serving as assistant captains. This year’s captains were loaded with ample ammunition to teach many valuable lessons; the Blue Devils suffered seven losses last season which were decided by two goals or less.
“Attention to detail and the ability to finish games are two areas we will definitely will look to improve,” said junior forward Hunter Long. “We realize how important it is to have every player buy in and sacrifice their individuality for the betterment of the team.”
Accountability is a consistent theme found on any good hockey team, and this concept has taken on new meaning for the 2015-16 Blue Devils. The team’s motto, “Everybody Ropes, Everybody Rides” lays the foundation for success and can be found throughout the locker room as well as sewn on the back of team t-shirts.
“It’s a simple point with meaning that is incredibly true and vital to our success as a team,” said junior forward Marcus Ortiz. “If everyone does their job and pulls their end of the rope, we will ride off with a lot of win and a lot more smiles.”
Along with the changes made off the ice, the Blue Devils added an impressive recruiting class that seek to compliment a strong core of returning players as they look to improve on last year’s 4-16-5 overall record. One thing made clear to the new players when they arrived was that this year’s Fredonia team would be a hard-nosed group that made life miserable for opponents.
“We’ve found and established our identity,” echoed Ortiz. “The days of having our faces rubbed in the dirt are over.”
The Blue Devils open the season on the road facing off against Buffalo State Oct. 30 before returning to Steele Hall Halloween night for their home opener when they play host to Southern New Hampshire.
*John Cullen currently serves as the Fredonia men’s ice hockey team’s goaltender coach