Men’s Hockey Takes the Ice

The Hudson Valley men’s hockey team looks to start off the 2012-2013 season strong. The Vikings are coming off a 5-15 season last year.

Matt Alvey, men’s hockey Head Coach, said that this year’s team is coming along very well.

“I feel pretty good. We brought in some pretty good recruits, and they’re having a huge impact already on the team,” Alvey said. “Our second year guys that have come back have returned in a positive manner, and so far I’m pretty happy where we are at.”

The Vikings are coming off last season with a few losses in a row, so this year they look to bounce back strong and look forward to a winning season.

“Everyone wants to start the season off on a positive note, but if we were to go out and lose a game here and there, I’m not going to push the panic button,” Alvey said.

“Every season is a growing experience. I think this year we might have some ups and downs, but we are going to do well this year, whether it’s right off the bat or down the line, we will have a good season,” he said.

The team has lost some valuable player, but there are some returning players who will help lead the team.

Alvey said, “I look for them to be leaders. After a year [of] being here, they’re automatically thrown into a leadership role. I would like to see how they handle it and, so far, most of the second year guys have done a great job with leading, coming back, and working hard.”

Along with the team working hard on the ice, the athletes have been doing different things off the ice. “One thing we are doing a little more this season, as [compared] to previous seasons, is hitting the weight room more. We have the access to the free weights, so we are taking advantage of it. I think that might have a bigger impact as the season goes on,” Alvey said.

When the players are not in the weight room, they are staying on top of their school work. The team has added some new things to their study routine to help them a little more.

Alvey complimented the team’s work outside the ice rink. “They’re working hard. We do study hours all the time. We’re doing team study hall every Monday, which we never did before,” he said.

Alvey has set goals that he wants his team to achieve. “Moving forth form this point on, and gradually towards the end, our goal is just to have a team that’s doing well in the classroom and also doing well on the ice,” said Alvey.

He said, “Performance wise, I’m looking for straight effort. I’m looking for the boys to go out every night…and at the end of the night to say we gave it all we got, win or lose.”

Alvey and the team have one big goal that they strive to achieve every season. “My number one goal is to make it back to nationals,” said Alvey.

This quest for nationals began this past weekend, when the Vikings defeated RPI 7-6 on Friday and lost 7-5 to Marist on Saturday.