Course

Preseason JHS Hockey

By: Gina Johnson

The boy's hockey season is right around the corner, and they have well started their captain's practice. The Captain's this year are Senior John Schmidt, Senior Brad Dushaw, Senior Tyler Hendrickson, and Senior Gabe Pearson, who have been playing with each other. The coaches are expecting 40-45 boys to tryout and only 20 will make the Varsity team.

The season starting on November 29th, is near and they boys are ready to play, Senior Captain John Schmidt said," We need good team chemistry and make sure everyone is on the same page, we can't have any distractions, and we need to stay focused." He added that the team is looking forward to the Lake of the Woods game that will be featured on the FSN network. The game will be aired before the Gopher's and Wild game.

Senior Sam Soika said," The team is looking good so far, better than last year at this time." Senior Captain Tyler Hendrickson added that "We need to get in better shape." Hendrickson said," Everyone needs to stay healthy and smart, that will be our ticket to state."

Senior Captain Brad Dushaw said," We have a lot of seniors, everyone that played sophomore year are now all playing hockey as seniors, it makes us a strong team." He states, "The team has a goal set, to get to the "X"." He also thinks that the younger guys will have to step it up, and take a role for the team.

New comer Senior Mike Biagini comes from North Saint Paul, and has joined the team. He has been playing since the was 3 years old and says that playing for the Johnson Governors is a lot different from playing for the North Polars, "There is a lot more work involved, more conditioning, it's more organized, more control, and better coaching." He says Hill Murray will be their best competition. "We need team effort, hard work, and that will bring us to the excel in March."

Senior Captain Gabe Pearson commented on the way captain's practice is run, by scrimmaging, team bonding, and light conditioning. They practice everyday from 2:15-4:30 and dry land (running stairs and halls) for a half an hour. Pearson says Moose sets goals, and expects the athletes and school work