Story by Martina Devetak, Saint Reporter

Image courtesy of aqsaints.com

The second semester of the school year is now underway, and with that the men’s hockey team is coming down to their final games of the season.

Junior Sam Kaser said that the season thus far has really been a good test for their young team. Nearly half of the roster consists of freshmen, and especially with the move from ACHA D3 to NAIA, the higher level of competition has been really good for the program’s experience. When asked what’s to come for the remainder of the season, Kaser said, “Coming up we look forward to playing the teams in our conference for a second time. We have a few axes to grind with some games we let slip in the first half of the season, and will look to avenge those mistakes in the second half.” He also said that coming into this year the team thought it might be tough to continue a National Championship caliber work ethic; but, as Kaser said, the new guys have really done a nice job of stepping in and showing they are willing and eager to pick up where they left off. “Our maturity has come a long way,” Kaser said.

Kaser is already excited for a new season and looks forward to continuing his experience on the team and help show the young players exactly what it takes to get back and win another National Title.

Roman Malkov, a freshman on the team from Russia, said that the season went extremely well in his opinion. “The season is about to end, so every practice we are preparing for Nationals. We will have to compete really hard to win. And I believe in my team. I believe we can do it,” Malkov said. “This year we became more mature as a team. We grew as players, a group and became really good friends. I would even say a big family where everyone supports each other.”

Overall, Aquinas College is proud to be home for so many talented athletes not only from the United States, but from all over the world. If you still haven’t been to a hockey game, don’t miss a chance and mark your calendar for Feb.18 to come and support our hockey team against Grand Valley State University.