First-year Coach Bryan Tangney has an equal mix of veterans and newcomers in his first year at the helm of the Goodrich varsity hockey program.
A total of 16 players, eight returnees and eight first-year players, comprise this year’s Martian hockey program, which is scheduled to begin Saturday, Nov 18 against Auburn Hills Avondale.
The list of returning players is headed by seniors Brennen Benedict, Zack Pernack, Darin Kern, all forwards, as well as senior defenseman Travis Wandell and junior defenseman Sam Rollins.
One key newcomer, who already has been voted by his teammates as this year’s captain, is senior Austin Saber, who used to play for the Honeybaked travel team.
‘He is one of those complete hockey players,? Tangney said. ‘He has good size, great hand-eye coordination, excellent speed, plays both ends of the ice, and communications professionally with the coaches. One thing Coach (Mike) Rollins and I like about Austin is that he is always smiling while playing the game.?
Other forwards on this year’s roster are juniors Mitchell Syrowick and Kyle Hughes and freshmen Travis Fleming and Aaron Fraker.
Defensively, Tangney said Wandell and Rollins will anchor the Martians this season.
‘They both have good size and speed ? they can hurt you with their toughness, and their ability to break up offensive threats and create scoring opportunities at the other end,? he said.
Rounding out the Martians? defense corps are Mike Williams, Chris Easton, and Conner Geml.
The Martians will be undergoing a transition in goal this year after longtime senior Brad Smith graduated. Freshmen Chris Johennes and Michael Underwood (the latter coming aboard toward the end of tryouts after having played in the Little Caesars AAA League) will share duties between the pipes for the Martians.
‘They’re actually working very well in the preseason,? Tangney said. ‘I’m looking for them to do well when given the opportunity.?
As far as the Genesee Area Conference is concerned, Tangney said Durand is ‘without a doubt? the team to beat, but there will be no lack of competition in the league.
‘The rest of the teams have gotten stronger, and they have a lot more kids coming back than we do,? he said. ‘However, with our goaltending, and how this team definitely hustles, that’s one way we’re going to win some games this year. We have multiple players that are capable of playing at the college level.?