Goodrich’s hockey team is on its way to fullfilling first-year Coach Doug Van Kuren’s goal of restoring pride back to the Martians? hockey program.
As of press time, the Martians are currently 8-2-2 as the midway point of the season appraoches. The Martians may have another win added to their ledger if their protest of a 4-4 tie against Lapeer West Jan. 3 holds up.
When he went to watch his son Brian in action last season, Van Kuren, a defenseman on the Goodrich hockey team from 1979-81, said he was distressed by what he saw, namely a lack of discipline and pride on the team.
These days, things are a lot more fun for the Van Kuren family ? head coach Doug, assistant coach Les, and junior forward Brian, who has been one of many contributors to a potent Goodrich offense.
True to Doug Van Kuren’s word, the Martians have not relied on just one player this season. Granted, the team has several players who have proven to be prolific scorers ? Lance Keene, Matt Hill, Max Hawkins and Ryan Mortimer come to mind ? but everyone on the team has figured in the action one way or another, and the Martians have received solid goaltending from senior Steve Jedlowski and sophomore Brad Smith.
Goodrich has proven it can hang with its tougher opponents, as the game against Lapeer West demonstrated, and has turned up the firepower more than once this season to rout several foes.
What’s impressive about this year’s bunch is even in the blowouts ? the Martians? 15-0 rout of Mt. Morris Jan. 3 being one such example ? there was no excessive celebration or showboating. The team kept a cool and calm approach and took care of business.
Just like the National Basketball Association’s Detroit Pistons, the Martians have been ‘going to work? blue-collar style all season, and if they continue on their present path, good things will happen.