IMAGES TAKEN COURTESY OF COACH LEE, 12/12/2019
“We are more than a team—we are brothers, who are motivated to play and do better every time we go out onto the ice.”
-Michael L.
From forging newfound friendships with fellow athletes to celebrating incredible victories as a team, the members of St. Augustine’s Varsity Boys Hockey Team have embarked upon a memorable journey this hockey season. Although they have faced their fair share of challenges, the team has only grown stronger with every practice, tournament, and victory that they power through. Even so, how does the team manage to deal with pre-game nerves? Where do new players start when it comes to hockey? To give us a deeper look into this amazing team and all the excitement it entails, some of the members—Griffin B., Dylan D., Michael L., Justin L., Don N., Ryan Y., Peter G.,—and the team’s scorekeeper, Kayla A., sat down with Titan Times to bring you a behind the scenes look at this icy experience.
1. Being a senior student on the team means more responsibilities rest on your shoulders. How do you adjust to working with new team members while setting a positive example for other hockey players?
Griffin B.: A lot of it is in the way we play—keeping it simple while also mentoring the younger players. It is important to ensure that the new members don’t feel as though they are responsible for taking on everything that goes on during a game, while keeping in mind that everyone on the team is there to contribute and support the group as a whole.
2. During tough times, what motivates the players to continue on? What would you say is the greatest inspiration behind your interest in hockey?
Griffin B.: During tough times, it’s the senior students who are really pushing for success and offering a lot of the encouraging words that really keep us going and staying together as a team. As for my hockey inspiration, I’ve been playing hockey since the age of five, and I’ve always played since then. For me, it’s just been a big part of my life, and I wouldn’t be the same without it. (Fun note: Coach Darnley also started playing hockey at 5 years old!)
3. What is one piece of advice that you would give to a new hockey player who has yet to try out for the team?
Griffin B.: Really, to come and try out for the team. Being part of the hockey team is an awesome experience, and it is always really rewarding to be able to play hockey with students from the school…while having fun as a Titan.
4. Do you ever feel nervous or intimidated on the ice? If so, what are the biggest confidence boosters that you would rely on to overcome these feelings of doubt?
Dylan D.: I honestly don’t get too nervous because I’ve played for so long, but I still try to stay relaxed. Just knowing that my teammates have my back and that they will be there for me is always enough to provide me with confidence on the ice.
5. What are some of the biggest lessons that you can take away from your experience on the hockey team?
Michael L.: Hockey is like a brotherhood, and every kid on the team has your back no matter what. You always know that the team members will be there for you, and it’s just like a big family.
Justin L.: Being on the hockey team taught me a lot about how to work with others. As grade 11 students, we are used to having new faces around us, and we know how it feels to be in their position. So, we try our best to be inclusive of the younger students, making us a better team unit overall.
6. What is the team’s favourite way to celebrate after winning a particularly tough match?
All: Listening to music—particularly the John Cena WWE theme song—in the change room after the game!
7. Before a game, what do you do to de-stress and prepare for the challenge ahead?
Don N.: We like to listen to loud music! Before a game, our coaches also motivate us to stay focused and try our hardest.
Ryan Y.: Most of us also have our own personal ways to de-stress—for example, some prefer to look at their phones. For each person it’s different.
SCOREKEEPER’S PERSPECTIVE
1. What do you like most about the sport of hockey?
Kayla A.: It’s always fun to watch, and I enjoy the sport as a hockey player myself.
2. Helping out the hockey team is a big commitment. What inspires you to keep going and remained involved in the sport of hockey?
Kayla A.: My brother also used to play on the school team, and I’ve always enjoyed watching him on the ice. I’ve grown up watching hockey, so it has captured my interest.
8. What is a message that the hockey team would like to share with the student body?
Dylan D.: It’s a good group of guys and it’s a lot of fun, but also involves hard work. Being on the team always offers a good time, and a lot of great memories.
Michael L.: We are more than a team—we are brothers, who are motivated to play and do better every time we go out onto the ice. Whenever we practice, we work towards improving as a team, while becoming players with the goal of winning the championship.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the hockey team as February rolls around, bringing even more action to the ice rink. Until then, let’s continue to support the team as they skate their way through this amazing season. Go Titans!
A special thanks to the coaches, timekeepers, and athletes of the Varsity Boy’s Hockey Team for participating in this interview segment.
Titan Times 