UCSB Excited for Fresh Start
New rink ignites interest in Club
WCRHL October 18th, 2005 at 3:46AM October 18th, 2005 9:24AMA new year has arrived, along with a new attitude for the UCSB
Hockey Club. With the addition of a new NHL-sized spourt court
facility on campus and a new coaching staff, the club is looking to
bring back the winning tradition that is UCSB Hockey. After
making a National Championship appearance against Michigan St. in 1999,
UCSB has struggled to get back to the National spotlight. New
Head Coach, former Czech Republic National Team star, Jaro Kovarick is
excited to jump on board with UCSB. Kovarick, a retired self-made
man, enjoys giving back to the game and volunteering his time to
UCSB. He has brought the team a disciplined approach to the
game, emphasizing conditioning, team work, and finesse. Also,
former UCSB Hockey great, Greg Franks, has come back to coach and offer
his insight brought about from four years of NCRHA
competition.
With multiple 7 am practices a week, UCSB
looks to have a more focused team on the rink, along with a deeper
bench, as each team will be carrying 12 skaters and 2
goalies. The teams look forward to sizing themselves up agasinst
national competition outside the WCRHL, as
they will challenge teams from the ECRHA during their
all-star weekend on Feb. 5th, in Philadelphia. With just a
week to go before the opening tournament, players are anxious
to to bring back prestige to UCSB hockey, and get back the respect
of the NCRHA.