Back On The Ice

Details: Created on Tuesday, 19 November 2013 17:02; Written by Adam Donnelly

sja first practice ST. JOHNSBURY - With Old Man Winter right around the corner, and temperatures in the North East Kingdom plummeting lower and lower, that can only mean one thing. hockey season is on it's way.

Fenton Chester Arena in Lyndon Center is shared by many local hockey teams, including the Lyndon State College Hornets and the Lyndon Institute Vikings.

But Monday night it was the Hilltoppers of St. Johnsbury Academy that got their first crack at the Fenton Chester ice as they held their first practice of the season. A new head coach, 11 total players, and five players bound to leave is not necessarily a recipe for success, and it led to a fairly disappointing 2012-2013 season which saw St. Johnsbury Academy finish with a 5-14 record.

However, the upcoming 2013-2014 season has a few things working in favor for SJA which could lead the Hilltoppers to a turnaround. Despite losing five players from their 11 man roster from last year the team has managed to grow in size. The total number of players has almost doubled from last year with the roster now standing at 20.

Fresh off his first year as SJA head coach, Bob Reardon has high expectations going into this season. Now that he is in his second year as head coach Reardon says that, "This year i'm going to push them a little bit more, a little bit harder. Last year being my first year trying to find the ropes, trying to figure out my own ground. Now that I have that and now that I have more numbers on the team, I'm able to juggle more players around and really execute it to a high level."

The Hilltoppers kick off their season December 4th at 6pm at Fenton Chester Arena when they take on Woodstock Union High School. To see when and where they will be playing this season check out the SJA Hockey schedule.