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The 2007/2008 Titan hockey
team is running into unchartered waters this coming year. No SJJ
team previously has ever entered a season trying to defend a state
championship. This team may have all the ingredients to give it a
good shot. It has a very strong senior class as well as some very
talented players to replace last year’s senior class.
The strength of this year’s
team will come from their offense. Three returning players (Dan
Johnson, Cam Hauenstein, and Ray Morris) scored over 20 goals last
year and Chase Parsell and Mark Stansfield both scored in the double
digits. With the addition of sophomore transfer George Wilkinson,
the Titans will have plenty of guys to rely on putting the puck in
the net. Seniors Cody Mathews, Cam Joelson, Tyler Jarosz as well as
juniors Jake Kuhn and Zach Jones, sophomores Nick Walla and Kyle Knox will also
be counted on to supply offense. The icers should be able to
consistently wear teams down by playing three or four lines.
Where the Titans look to
retool is on defense and goaltending. SJJ lost three key,
experienced senior defensemen to graduation. Junior Luke Stansfield
is starting his third season with the varsity icers and will provide
needed leadership there. Junior Matt Butler and sophomore Eli
Riddle gained valuable experience last year and will take on
expanded roles. Sophomore Connor Carroll and freshman Matt Wurst
are very talented and will be looked on to bring stability to the
defensive corps. Sophomore Zach McClintock and freshman Noah Ryan
will look to add depth to this group. SJJ will also be looking for
a new starting goalie this year. Senior Steven Schmitt brings some
valuable experience with him. Schmitt had an 8-1-2 record last year
with a 1.83 GAA in limited time. Junior Luc Gibb and sophomore
Christian Davis will look to challenge him for the starting job and
will also see time in the net.
All in all, there is plenty
of talent for this year’s group to go deep into the state playoffs.
How they gel as a group and how the younger guys come along will
determine how deep they go. Good luck to all. |
