Above: No photo ID required Alphabetical list: Axel Chapman, Barrett Scholl, Brandon Hector, Bryce Aake, Bryce Roshen, Kayden Wickert, Caleb Meyer, Dayton Draper, Eli Winter, Enor Murillo, Eric Determan, Gavin Kesta -, Hunter Olson, Hunter That, Jace Meade, Kayden Olson, Keegan Roloff, Clay Beamer, Logan Madsen, Mac Anderson, Noah Bettin, Noah Maisel, Parker Schwandt, Preston Sepres, Tyler Kurt.
FAIRMONT – The Fairmont Cardinals men’s hockey team is back on the ice and ready for another year.
Despite going 3-24 last season, the Cardinals have a lot of fresh faces and are led by first-year head varsity coach Dylan VanBrocklin. He is aware of the situation this season and is focusing on growth.
“I only practiced once.” said VanBrocklin. “I think it’s still early since this will be the second full practice session. There are a lot of young players, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
With the addition of young players, VanBrocklin is still working on building a new team. Added nine new players to the roster, including seniors Barrett Scholl (forward), Keegan Roloff (forward), Eric Determan (forward), Tyler Kurt (defense) and Eli Winter (forward). Eleven players returned, giving the team a fresh look. This season.
“I’m not coaching any of the kids who are going up this year.” said VanBrocklin. “So we’ve got a lot of new faces, a lot of them just needing to figure out where everyone fits in. So it’s kind of exciting.”
VanBrocklin, who is no stranger to coaching, is drawing on past experience. VanBrocklin has grown as a member of the team over the past four seasons, building team chemistry, and the newly revitalized roster gives the Cardinals an energy boost.
“I coached the Bantams.” said VanBrocklin. “So, aside from the first few years coaching the Bantams, the last four years I’ve had the same kind of kids. I started with them and then stepped up with them. … I had that familiarity, but now it’s a little bit lost and it’s new.”
The Cardinals have struggled with roster size this past season with few returning players. It has affected the team, but the program is showing growth and things are looking promising. It’s too early to tell as the team is getting back on the ice, but the outlook is optimistic.
This season, the team is focusing on player development rather than performance, and is focusing on how the team can grow.
“I think the biggest expectation is really growth.” said VanBrocklin. “I mean, last year wasn’t as good as we wanted it to be or as good as we could have been. So we just want to keep everyone positive and look at the big picture. … A lot this year Whether we win or lose, it doesn’t really matter as long as we grow as a team and get better by the end of the year.”
As the Cardinals prepare for the start of the new season, the team will wait to see how things go once players return. The Cardinals are currently training hard in preparation for their home opener against Luverne. The Cardinals’ first game will be an early test, as Luverne went 24-3 last season.
The Cardinals host Luverne in their home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
