If there is one thing the Joel Barlow/Weston/Abbott Tech (JBWA) ice hockey team hopes to see more of in the 2024-25 season it’s scoring.
The Knights are hoping for several players to step up offensively for them. Once this is accomplished, they should go far in both the South-West Conference and state Division III tournaments.
“We’re pretty good at keeping the puck out of the net,” said 11th-year head coach Bob Stearns. “I want to see some guys put the puck in the net a little more.”
With 18 players in the program, the Knights are a little smaller in terms of numbers. Based on what Stearns has seen so far, the team also has some good talent.
“I think it looks good,” he said. “I’m pretty happy with what I’ve seen so far.”
A number of the players are back from last season’s team, which finished with an 8-13 record. Although the Knights did not make the SWC tournament, they did qualify for the state Division III tournament, losing in the first round to Masuk.
Several key players graduated from that team, including former captains Dylan Staunton and Emmet Arees, both defensemen. Forwards Theo Spitzer and Henry Hoeffner have also graduated, as have defensemen Jack Zuch and Shane Morse.
While smaller in terms of numbers, the Knights will also be a mature team with seven seniors. Among them are captains Connor Thomas, Max Krug and John Schaffer.
Thomas brings back much experience in goal. Krug will be on defense and Schaffer is a forward.
Also at forward is classmate Dylan Bargagna. The Knights hope to get some scoring from forward and junior captain Wes Arees, who is one of the fastest players on the team, according to Stearns.
Sophomore Chris Nesto scored a few goals for the Knights last season and Stearns hopes he will put some more points on the board this season. New to the team is sophomore goalie Alex Duncan.
“He’s been very good so far,” said Stearns. “We’re looking forward to see what he can do in a game.”
As far as the competition is concerned, Stearns expects Masuk to be relatively good in both the SWC and in Division III. He also feels Shepaug could be one of the better teams in the league but expects the Knights to be right there in the mix as well.
“We’ve got some kids who can play,” he said. “I think we’re going to be in good shape.”
