The Red Devils hope to build on last year’s abbreviated 7-3-2 season. (Dave Chapman photo)
BY BRIAN RZEPPA
Regardless of graduations or any other factors that could impact their play on the ice, the Grosse Ile High School hockey team has always proven to be competitive year-in and year-out.
Last year was no different in that regard, as the Red Devils closed out their abridged season with a 7-3-2 record which featured an impressive 44 goals for to 20 goals against differential and an appearance in the Regional Semifinals.
The team on the ice this year however, is going to look much different than the squad that suited up last year. Five of Grosse Ile’s top six leading scorers have graduated, as did their starting goalie.
One facet that won’t different on this year’s team is the head coach, as Jason Durbin will return behind the bench for another campaign with the Red Devils. Looking back at last year, Durbin was happy with how the team performed considering the stop-and-go nature of the season due to COVID-19. Compared to last year, Durbin believes the team will greatly benefit from a return to ‘normal’.
“Last season went as well as it could have been given the circumstances we all were under. Having a summer, fall and winter season should help by giving the students some sense of normality. They are back to the same routine,” Durbin said.
Considering the extra hockey they’ve been able to play leading up to the puck drop for this year, Durbin is setting the bar where he always has: be competitive. Along with that, he’s hoping the team can avoid some of the setbacks that hindered them last season, though those were not in their control.
“I expect us to be competitive in both the leagues we play in,” Durbin said. “This expectation has not changed at Grosse Ile. Hopefully with the loosened restrictions we will not be completely shut down this year. We would really like to be able to play 25 games this year compared to 12 games last year.”
Considering the seniors who graduated from last year’s team, Durbin knows that there is plenty of production needing to be replaced as the season nears. While a number of those seniors were forwards, Durbin is putting more responsibility on the plate of defenseman Ben Carter this season and he expects Carter to lead the team.
“I expect our seniors to lead this team. Ben Carter will play a key role in how we do this year.”
Along with Carter, the Red Devils will turn to a group of younger forwards that Durbin hopes can progress in their skill level and understanding of the game.
“I’m looking forward to seeing some of our younger players taking a step forward this year with their development. They include Travis Symons, Aiden Hennessey, Nolan Karn and Tate Hubler.”
Grosse Ile has also added a pair of brothers that Durbin believes can make an impact right away.
“We have two new players that are brothers to our school. Owen Sobiechowski and Ashton Sobiechowski. These two will bring speed, strength and size to our team.”
Between the pipes, Grosse Ile is likely going to turn to Wyatt Thompson to take the reins as the starting goaltender. Thompson only appeared in two games but showed a ton of potential within that time. In his lone start of the season against Dearborn Divine Child, Thompson put on a clinic with a 32-save shutout. His performance in that game has many excited to see what he can put together over a full season.
Durbin knows that anything can happen in hockey, so he’s focused on working on what the team can control and ensuring that they improve each day they’re on the ice. With that in mind, his goals for the year are focused on one of the most important abilities of any team: availability.
“Our goals for this season are to play our full schedule of 25 games and to stay healthy.”