The Men’s Ice Hockey team is coming off an 11 win, nine loss, and a six tie season. With new players and a new captain, they’re more than excited for this upcoming season.
Mike Whitehair was just voted one of the new captains last year, after only one year with the team; with that comes some new added pressure.
“Being a captain, I’m more conscious of my actions and setting a good example for my teammates,” he said. “Being a freshman, I was a little surprised to have been chosen but it’s a big honor to have my teammates choose me to be one of their leaders and I’m excited for the responsibility.”
Head Coach Tom Carroll believes Whitehair and the two other Senior captains, Johnny Quinlan and Shawn Watson, “will be terrific leaders for our team” and he isn’t the only one. Bryce Nielson, who has been playing on the team for three years is quoted as saying, “Whitehair is a good captain as he has shown that hard work is the basis for success.”
Carlos Fornaris, who is a new player on the team says , “The best part about being on the hockey team is meeting a great group of guys who all have the save mindset as you.”
Senior captain Shawn Watson feels the same way: “It’s having thirty guys that are there for you no matter what!”
Along with being a senior captain, Watson is also an RA and works hard to balance both while still putting everything he has on the ice.
“I feel more pressure because I was named captain of the team,” says Watson. “So I feel the pressure of letting the whole team down and those who are fans….my biggest challenge so far is trying to find time for all three. What I have learned is that you need to sacrifice those nights out to be able to balance all of it and be successful.”
Tom Carroll has been the head coach of the Men’s Ice Hockey team here at NEC for fifteen seasons. “I am inspired each and every day by our players. Their dedication, work ethic and commitment is motivating. They are an awesome group to coach,” Carroll says.
According to Carroll, there are 50-60 players trying out for the team each year.
Carroll is fortunate that there is both a varsity and JV team here at NEC, and says that “everyone is excited about our three Captains this year, Seniors Johnny Quinlan, Shawn Watson and Mike Whitehair will all be terrific leaders for our team”.
Carroll says that, as fans, we can expect to see an exciting team out on the ice each and every night. Official practices started the 17th of October and Carroll says the new players are eager and ready for the upcoming season.
The NEC Men’s Ice Hockey team has it’s first game November 1st against Fitchburg University at the Lee Clements Arena.
