There is no substitute for experience.
The Goodrich hockey team hopes that saying proves true this season as it seeks a Genesee Area Conference championship and a trip deep into the Division 3 state playoffs.
Last year, the Martians finished with a record of 15-11-1, good for second place in the GAC behind Durand, which was in its first year in the league. The Martians advanced to the regional finals before bowing out to Brandon.
Goodrich coach Doug Van Kuren, in his third year at the helm of the Martians? program, said the team lost only two players to graduation (one being his son Brian, who is now a forward for Alpena College), which means the Martians should perform well on a consistent basis.
‘It’s nice when you have that many guys returning that know your style,? he said.
Van Kuren also said the Martians? experience will particularly pay off in the areas of defense and goaltending.
‘Defensively, we should be pretty strong,? he said. ‘We have Brad Smith back in net for us, and he’s done a good job.?
One freshman who may make an impact this year, Van Kuren said, is Tom Ferreri, a forward/center who is presently skating on a line with two of the Martians? top returning players, Max Hawkins and Reece Geml.
Van Kuren said he hopes to incorporate a third line into the Goodrich lineup this year in order to give the first two lines a breather.
‘We’re able to put the puck in the net with the first two lines,? he said. ‘We’re going to try to get three lines in there. I really think we should do well.?
As far as goals for the team are concerned, Van Kuren said ‘right out of the gate, we want to have a good, sportsmanlike team? and to ‘put a respectable team on the ice.?
From there, he would like to win the GAC for the first time in his Goodrich tenure and advance past regional action.
However, he expects a stiff fight from the defending league champion Railroaders in order to claim the GAC championship.
‘They will present a good challenge for us,? he said.
The Martians open their season at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30 when they take on Bloomfield at their home arena, the Ice Mountain Sports Complex in Burton.