As a relatively new program, the Lake Orion varsity ice hockey team’s record of 11-12-3 last season was their best so far.
However, this year new coach Pat Cherry hopes to see the team make great strides, and doesn’t expect his team to lose more than 5 games.
‘They’ve only typically won 4-5 games,? he said. ‘When I first inherited the team in the summer, we didn’t pass the puck at all.?
The Dragons are already off to a positive start this year, defeating Oxford before losing to L’Anse Creuse in scrimmage play.
‘We won three and tied one game,? said Cherry prior to the team’s Dec. 3 game against Utica. ‘We’ve focused on skill development and it’s finally starting to work.?
The Dragons? strengths this season will be that their goals will be spread across the team.
‘It’ll be hard for teams to key on any one player,? Cherry said. ‘We need to focus on our mental status…lots of teams like to take stupid penalties, and if you keep your emotions in check you’ll come out with more power play opportunities.?
Lake Orion returns goaltending senior Casey Navarre, as well as seniors Andy Gronowski, Chuck Robuck, Craig Schmehl, Dan Randazzo, Justin Sparkman, Kyle Krause and Matt Pieper.
The team also returns junior Scott Johnson, Ken Klooster, Brian Krauss and Kevin Latshaw.
This year, the Dragons will face tough competition from Waterford Kettering as well as Utica.
‘Kettering is almost a mirror image of us,? said Cherry. ‘An Utica is always strong. But I think we’ll be very competitive.?
The team’s goals this year are to win the OAA II title and advance to the third round of the play offs.
Last season, the Dragons were defeated by Traverse City West in the regional semifinal game.
‘Our scoring will be balanced,? Cherry said. ‘We’re not a flashy team, but they’re getting better everyday.?
Cherry is pleased with the team’s efforts.
‘It’s starting to pick up momentum,? he said. ‘It’s a lot of work, but it’s really starting to pay off.?
The team is sponsored this year by Canterbury Castle Banquet Center and Castle Grille Restaurant at Olde World Canterbury Village in Lake Orion.
Canterbury Castle is helping the program fund a locker room at the Detroit Skating Club, the Dragons? home ice.