WELLS — The Escanaba hockey team is loaded with underclassmen heading into the new season.
The Eskies, which open tonight at 7 at Houghton, have 10 sophomores and one freshman on the roster.
Among the returning sophomores is goaltender Callie Hayes.
“Curry played every game last year, and I think he’ll be even better this year.” Coach Andy Johnson said. “This is probably the first time a freshman goaltender has started all 28 games in our program.”
The 16-player Eskimos also return two seniors and three juniors from a team that went 20-8 last season.
They are senior captain/forward Brett LaBre, defenseman Isaiah Boyce, junior forward Cale Carter, defenseman/forward Alex Schwalbach and defenseman Davin Mattonen.
“Brett and Isaiah are fourth-year players.” Mr. Johnson said. “We expect them to have a great season. It’s been fun watching them these past three years.
“This season is going to be a season where we rely on everyone. We have a lot of experienced sophomores.”
Additional sophomores include forwards Graham Johnson, Owen Labonte, Carson Hughes, Anthony Potvin, Hunter Allen and Sam Speer, and defensemen Nolan Vink and Ben Sands.
They will be joined by freshman forward Brody Levesque.
“It depends on the night, but we’ll have four or five defensemen.” Mr. Johnson said. “We have three front lines. It’s pretty much the same situation as the last two years. It depends a lot on the top two lines. Nolan played forward last year, but he’s played defense his whole life. He’s going to help us in the defensive zone. He’s going to put away the puck for us.”
Johnson said he was satisfied with watching the Eskimos play in a preseason scrimmage in Marquette.
“We had a good scrimmage there.” he added. “We’ve given some of our young players the knowledge of high school hockey. It’s a faster game than youth hockey. There’s more intensity. We have a tough schedule. We only have eight home games. “No, but it’s hard to get a high slot in the schedule without traveling. It’s also a good way to increase team cohesion.”
Coach Johnson knows the opening game will be a difficult match and is hoping for the same when Kingsford visit on Tuesday.
“Houghton has one of the best teams in the state.” He said. “When you play Kingsford, it doesn’t matter which team is better. They’re always a battle for us. The boys get to know the players over there. They’re friends on the ice. Things like that. These types of competition are the most intense.”
The win at Calumet was one of the highlights for the Eskimos a year ago.
“That’s a tough place to play.” Mr. Johnson said. “We don’t win there often, but Hancock is always strong. They reload every year. Marquette is in D-3 this year and will be a top-10 team. They tend to raise the level of competition,” he said. Manistique has a good senior group. It’s going to be a tough team this year. They’ve built a good high school hockey program there. I think Jeffers will be strong as well. They always give us great coaching. .”
Shawano, Wis., coached by Eski graduate Adam Gaffner, will visit the Hannaville Ice & Turf Complex on Feb. 2.
schedule:
Nov. 17 — At Houghton. Nov. 21 — Kingsford. Nov. 24 — At Traverse City Central. Nov. 25 — At Traverse City West. November 28th — At the market.
Dec. 1 — Painsdale Jeffers, Lance. Dec. 5 — Negaunee. December 12th — In Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. December 15th — Hancock. Dec. 22 — Calumet.
January 4th — At Kingsford (Iron Mountain). January 9th — Manistique. January 12-13 — Traverse City Showcase. January 27-28 — Chelsea Showcase.
February 1 — Painsdale Jeffers. February 2 — Shawano, Wisconsin. February 6th — At Manistique. February 9th — De Pere, Wisconsin. February 16-17 — Sault Ste Marie Showcase.