Coaches use Red-White game to set men’s hockey varsity roster

BY SUZIE ROTH
Cardinal Staff

With the air getting crisper and the snow starting to fall, the time of year hockey players look forward to the
most has arrived: It is time for them to lace up their skates and play the game they love.

For the Saint Mary’s University men’s hockey team, this means playing the annual Red-White game. The main purpose for the Red-White game “is to see the players in a game situation, not just doing drills, but actually playing the game,” said Head Coach Bill Moore. “It also gives the players the chance to adjust to new teammates and play by NCAA standards.”

The Red-White game “is a tradition that has happened forever,” said last year’s hockey captain, senior Jeff Miller. “It gives the guys a chance to put their bodies in the game setting and show who really wants to play.”

To prepare for the upcoming Red-White game and hockey tryouts, seniors Nick Carlson and Miller organized optional preseason practices and workouts for men to participate in.

After having an “awesome” experience last year, Coach Moore said he is ready to get his second season as head coach underway. “It is fun as an alum to come back,” Moore said. “I enjoyed taking over for Don Olson because he was my mentor and former coach, but the hardest time of the year for me is the wait from mid- August to mid-October until practices can start.” This season, Coach Moore plans to implement a few new policies for the hockey program. Not only will players be held to a code of conduct on and off the ice, but the team will be seeking more opportunities to provide service within the community. Moore also intends to have players work on “balancing skill development with fun.” The hockey program’s biggest strength, according to Moore, is the players’ renewed desire to turn the program around. Moore states that the work ethic of the team is
“tremendous,” and in the end, he wants players to remember that “it’s a game, and there are ways to have fun along with working hard.”

Players’ performances during the Oct. 18 Red-White game was a key deciding factor for Moore, along with assistant coaches Ryan Egan and J. Reszka, as they determined the members of the 2009-10 varsity team. Moore said the varsity team is made up of a roster of 26 players, but the main roster can be modified using players from the junior varsity team throughout the season.

The first SMU men’s hockey home game is 7 p.m. Nov. 21 against Hamline University.

*Update: the White team defeated the Red team 6 - 1 with sophomore Paul Dettling scoring three goals.