Time to start thinking hockey

Now that summer is winding down and school is approaching quicker than anticipated, once again it is time to start thinking hockey. Although the thermometer may read 75 degrees outside, the real action is happening in the rink getting our team ready for next season.

Last weekend a smaller, restructured version of the Gaylord Blue Devils traveled north to Sault Ste. Marie to play in an annual preseason tournament held by the Soo Blue Devils. With only days until the tournament we were still shorthanded due to work schedules, family commitments, etc. so I called on a couple of friends from conference rival Cadillac to aid us for the weekend. They turned out to be a great asset to our team, putting more skaters on the ice and a couple more pucks in the net.

We started off the weekend against the hosting Blue Devils, and perennial Great North powerhouse. After we got rid of some of the first period jitters we skated to an easy 5-3 victory. Saturday presented little more of a challenge for our squad; we defeated an undermanned Big Rapids squad by double digits in what turned out to be a very chippy and physical game, and we downed Traverse City West by a much slimmer margin later in the day.

Sunday, however, showed us a bit more of a challenge. In the finals we faced off against Marquette, an always overpowering unit from the GNC. In the first two periods the Redmen got the best of us, but in the third we fought back hard and tied the game. Since it was the final game overtime ensued and we ended up falling by a goal in the sudden death period. Nothing was hurt, however. We realized that we did much better than originally expected and lost to a very good team. I was proud of the way we competed throughout the weekend.

I have to say that the physicality and pace of play was a great measuring stick for some of the new freshman and sophomores. Even though some of them got hit pretty hard, they all bounced right back up and showed good character and enthusiasm.

I remember the preseason games and tournaments really acclimatizing me to high school hockey during the summer and fall of my freshman year. They were the stepping stones that I needed to be ready to succeed at the varsity level as a younger player. That is why I am pushing to do more of these tournaments because each time you step on the ice the younger guys seem to look better and better.

It is definitely a scary feeling as a 14 year old who has never played with older kids or in front of a crowd to jump right into high school hockey. Knowing that there are hundreds of fans in the bleachers that have paid to watch you play can get you all riled up as it is, realizing that there are kids the are four years older on the opposite team can downright scare you to death.

On a separate note, there have been many doubters throughout the last couple of months that have been degrading the Gaylord varsity hockey program. People have asked me countless times if we are even going to be able to put a team together for the 2009-10 season. The answer is an absolute yes. With our rate of improvement we could most definitely surprise our opponents and critics. I believe that this year’s team will be willing to do whatever is necessary to succeed. As the countdown begins and the anticipation builds… we will be ready.

By Jim Ryan - GHS Junior