By Ryan Filippone (with assistance by Brendan Ferguson)
As the leaves fall off the trees
and the days seem to get shorter, you know what time it is: Time for the 2012-2013
Darien High School Boys Ice Hockey season to begin. Darien Hockey, nicknamed Wave Puck in recent years, is always
a student-favorite sport for DHS students. Even with the increased hype
surrounding this year’s DHS Basketball team, Wave Puck still seems to prevail
and expects a very successful season.
The team is coming off a strong
season last year with the record of 15-5 in the regular season. They also had a
few heartbreaks such as a bitter loss to Ridgefield, 3-2, in the FCIAC Finals
as well as a loss to Glastonbury, the number one ranked team in the state,
losing 3-2 in the States CIAC Division 1 Quarterfinals. They went 2-2 in the postseason, but
hope to do better this year.
The team had its job of
re-organization this year with nine slots for varsity open due to the loss of
seniors from last year. Among these include former captains like goalie Max
Rothston, defenseman Hank Glick and forward Nick Bruno. While they will all be
missed, it left room for new talents to be found.
Senior Captain Dana Wensberg
commented on the issue, “What we have lost, we have gained more in a more
mature and skilled offensive core, with [juniors] like Tommy Watters, Connor
Davis, Robbie Juterbock, and Owen Koorbusch pacing for break out years.”
He continues to say “Overall I’d say we are a better team in
every facet except maybe goaltending”.
They team will look for the juniors and Jack Pardue to help out with the
seniors.
This year’s team is led by Coach
Chris Gerwig, his second year coaching at DHS, and senior Captains Dana
Wensberg, a bone crushing defenseman, Trent Bergin, a blue collar forward, and Brendan
Hathaway, a sniper.
Holding the line on defense is
senior captain Dana Wensberg and returning juniors Nick Allam, Jack Massie, and
Kevin Love.
Coming from the captains, the team
goal is to win FCIAC’s and go far in States. Senior Captain Brendan Hathaway mentioned this year’s goals
for the team: “Beat New Canaan, start with a 3-0 record, and to win FCIAC,
which we have not done since the 07-08 season.”
Completing the 3-0 goal to start
the season will be a tough one due to the rough schedule in the first few games
consisting of Hamden, West Haven, and rival New Canaan, all of which are
contenders for the state crown. Coach Gerwig mentioned the team’s goals: “We
want to try to get to the [semi-finals] in states and get to the FCIAC
Championship Game [for the second year in a row].”
The team looks to younger talents
this year to help its success. This includes sophomores Nic Tuz, a defenseman
who was on the team last year; Aidan Loh, a defenseman of the JV team last year; Brendan
Cassidy, a defenseman who played for Darien Youth Hockey (DYHA) last year;
Craig Miller, a speedy forward who also played for DYHA last year; Tiger
Sullivan, a classic blue collar, power forward also coming off of DYHA; and
Jack Pardue, a forward from Mid-Fairfield youth hockey, who was a major
contributor in the fall league season and looks to do the same this winter. Also,
the team looks to get help from freshman defenseman, Sam Knowlton, a younger
brother of senior Jack Knowlton and a member of Mid-Fairfield youth hockey
previously.
They open up the season vs. Hamden
on Wed 12/12 at Darien Ice Rink at 3:45pm, a team they played once last year,
losing 2-0. They then go on to
face two more important games against West Haven and New Canaan, both at Darien
Ice Rink. Coach Gerwig says, “[We have] a strong schedule with six teams
outside our conference…We feel we have the opportunity to be one of the better
teams.” Senior Captain Trent Bergin said, “Our tough opponents are Hamden, West
Haven, Notre Dame [of West Haven], who are the defending champs, Notre Dame of
Fairfield and Prep.” Indeed, this season looks tough, but it will be an
exciting one for sure.
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