With the first official puck drop just around the corner, excitement is mounting among the school’s hockey fans.
The wait until next year when Shattuck-st Mary’s varsity boys’ hockey team will be back in action has finally come to an end. The Bears fielded one of the best teams in the state this year, notching a 13-6-1 record and reaching the sectionals for the first time since 2010.
“We were very excited to get back out on the ice. I think everybody was looking forward to it,” said coach Rob Johnson.
The team’s success can be attributed to the the work put in by Johnson and his staff. The team benefited from a strong recruiting class, which featured several players who played varsity for their previous school. With a mix of experience and talent, the team looked forward to taking the ice.
They’ll kick off the new season against the Olympia Warriors at 7:00 pm on October 4th at the Ralph Makers Arena in Oakbrook, Illinois.
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How Can I Get Involved?
If you’re looking for a way to get involved with your local hockey team, there are plenty of avenues available. From volunteering to donate money or jerseys to buying tickets and cheering on the team, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Here are just some of the things you can do to get into the game:
Attend Games
One of the best ways to get into the game is to attend the games. Whether you’re sitting in the stands or in front of the television, you can take in a game and follow the action. The key is to find a game that fits your schedule. If you can’t make it to the game, you can always watch a replay online.
The best thing about attending games is that you get a front-row seat to the action. You can get a glimpse of what the coaches and players are working on while also getting a feel for the atmosphere in the rink.
Be On The Lookout For Rookies And Ex-Students
Along with tickets and apparel, you can get in on the action by purchasing a program for a game. One of the best places to find these gems is at the box office before or after the game. You can also find them online or at retail stores near the rink. There is no better way to get involved in college hockey than by joining a school’s booster club. Not only do you get a great outlet for your love of the game, but you also get to meet new people and make new connections.
A program doesn’t have to be expensive to find. All you need is a printer and some glue. You can print out several copies of the program and personalize them by putting the boys’ or girls’ name on the front and making some small modifications to the inside to fit the occasion.
Support The School
Shattuck-st Mary’s is a small school that prides itself on community engagement. One of the ways they show their support is through hockey. Many schools don’t have the budget for full-time hockey coaches, which is why they create teams of volunteers who lead the fans in cheers and also serve as role models for the students.
If you’re a fan of the team, consider donating money or your time to help out. If you can’t donate money, help out by sharing the team’s page on social media. The more people who know about the team, the more successful they will be.
Join A Society
If you’re looking to get into hockey for the social aspect, you can do so with a society. Joining a school’s hockey society is a great way to meet new people and have some fun while also getting involved with the team. You can do so by contacting the school’s director of development and alumni relations, Amy Debo, at [email protected].
Debo will be able to help you get started and can also provide you with a list of volunteer opportunities that you can get involved in. These opportunities can range from ushering at games to serving food at fundraisers. You can also help out by simply showing up to a few practices and cheering on the boys during games.
Play On An Under-Sized Team
While it’s great to be able to help out with the team, you might not have the physical endurance to play on a varsity team. There are plenty of other options for you to get involved, though. If you’re a recreational player, you can try out for one of the school’s junior varsity teams. These teams don’t have the same eligibility requirements as the varsity team, so you don’t have to be a professional athlete to play on them. You can also take the opportunity to work on your game and learn from the best.
Donate Your Body But Not Your Mind
If you’re unable to attend a game because of work obligations, you can still help out by donating your body but not your mind. For $25, you can undergo a sports physical and receive a registration confirmation email from the school’s athletic department. You’ll then be able to choose from a variety of athletic opportunities, ranging from intramural sports to an opportunity to join a school-sponsored club or team.
For those interested in becoming more active, the school offers several sports camps throughout the summer. These camps are a great way to get into hockey and also to meet new people who share your love of the game. Some of the camps even allow you to play on a varsity team while attending school.
Any one of these methods can help you get into the game. Find a way to attend a game or join a team. Donate your time and effort to help out or register for a sports physical. Lastly, don’t be afraid to try out for a varsity or junior varsity team. With enough effort, you can make the cut and play on a great team with some of the best players in the area.