A Unique Preseason

8 October 2020Will P, Whittall ‘22; Photo by John Pettit

The new COVID-19 procedures have taken a lot of getting used to for all Brentwood students, and for the Ice Hockey team, that is no exception. Due to the new rules in place because of the pandemic, the way the first term Hockey program is run has changed considerably, but the important thing is that the team is still getting on the ice and putting in the work in hopes of playing games some time in the future.

The biggest change to the way that the program is run this year is that the team now gets changed before arriving at the rink. We head to the Foote Centre and get changed into our full hockey gear (besides helmet, gloves, and skates). Then, in all our glory (and all our gear) the team crams itself into the bus where we are masked up and split up based on our learning groups. After a short, albeit hot, bus ride to the Kerry Park Recreation Centre, the team grabs sticks and heads inside. As all locker rooms are closed, we get dressed in the lobby area, where chairs are spread six feet apart from each other, and get our skates, gloves, and helmet on.

Once the team is on the ice, practice is similar to how it always has been, but with physical contact minimized and a focus on skill-based drills. As term one is non-competitive and simply an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming season, everyone is getting up to game-speed in the hope of some competitive action during the second term. Defensive stalwart Cooper J, Rogers ‘22, commented, “The team has struggled a bit but we are adjusting to the obstacles to prepare for our hopeful season.”

Forward Nick C, Ellis ‘22, in his second year with the program, thinks the benefits far outweigh the downsides, saying, “Things are a little different this year, but seeing the coaches and all my friends reminded me how fun this program is and it is great to still get on the ice even if we have to take a bus ride in the boiling heat in full gear.”

A huge thank you goes out to Mr Shadlock, Mr Robinson, Mr Interlandi, and Mr DeSandoli for reshaping the program to allow the team to get on the ice and do what we love despite the challenges faced.

Here’s to a great (hopeful) season for the team!

Will P, Whittall ‘22

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