October 2, 2003
NCSU Looking to Defend Title
In a new series on the ACRHA.com website, the league takes a closer look into its club teams, beginning with the defending ACRHA champions, the NC State Wolfpack. Starting with when the club began to where it is today.
What began as a club team made up of a few guys playing hockey in a parking lot has developed into a nationally ranked team with hopes of taking home a NCRHA National Title in 2004. This year, the NC State Wolfpack is hoping to top what has been the most successful season in its short history. In a short time period the team has developed significantly. Halfway through last season, the Wolfpack was in a good position for a run at the title. Joining the team for the second half of the season; Josh Matteo, Chris Hickman, Cory Millet, and Brandon Gregor proved to be the breakthrough players that the Wolfpack had been waiting for. The Wolfpack was on its way to taking home the ACRHA title and receiving a bid to the CRHL NCT in Feasterville, PA.
Looking back on last year's season, former captain and now assistant coach, Jake Genna notes, "The trip to nationals was great. I know how hard the team worked to get there and how badly they wanted it. Even though we know we could have performed better, playing against those great teams only made us a better team and this year we really feel like we have a shot." For the 2003-2004 season the Wolfpack will be without Jake Genna, Steven Snyder, Jerome Miller, and Rob Lackey. Returning from last year?s team will be Mark Woodwell, Chris Hickman, Andrew Hollifield, Alex Pingel, Josh Matteo, Brandon Gregor, Cory Millet, and goalies Casey Laborde and Justin Sanders. The team will welcome some new faces as well. Jake Wargo joins the team after transferring from ECU; Jake led all ACRHA scorers at Nationals last season, and was named to the CRHL NCT All Tournament Team. Scott Gaydos and Alan Rowe are rejoining the Wolfpack after a short hiatus from the team. Some new additions for this season include: Wes McDaniel, Ryan Cedermark, Kevin Thomas, Christopher Johnson, and Mike Downer. The depth of talent for the Wolfpack this year is greater than ever before. The Pack has added some dangerous scoring power with its new players, as well as a lot of speed on both offense and defense. Captains Chris Hickman and Josh Matteo, along with alternate captains Alex Pingel and Mark Woodwell will bring a strong leadership to the team.
Head Coach Jake Plancon comes in with a great knowledge of the game as well as experience in coaching. Coach Plancon has led many teams to national events and now will have a chance to direct a collegiate squad that is ripe with talent. The Pack is aware of the tremendous expectations awaiting them this season, as they have become the team to beat, but remains confident that this new team possesses the talent to be a dominant force in the Atlantic Coast Roller Hockey Association, as well as a title contender in the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association.
What began as a club team made up of a few guys playing hockey in a parking lot has developed into a nationally ranked team with hopes of taking home a NCRHA National Title in 2004. This year, the NC State Wolfpack is hoping to top what has been the most successful season in its short history. In a short time period the team has developed significantly. Halfway through last season, the Wolfpack was in a good position for a run at the title. Joining the team for the second half of the season; Josh Matteo, Chris Hickman, Cory Millet, and Brandon Gregor proved to be the breakthrough players that the Wolfpack had been waiting for. The Wolfpack was on its way to taking home the ACRHA title and receiving a bid to the CRHL NCT in Feasterville, PA. Looking back on last year's season, former captain and now assistant coach, Jake Genna notes, "The trip to nationals was great. I know how hard the team worked to get there and how badly they wanted it. Even though we know we could have performed better, playing against those great teams only made us a better team and this year we really feel like we have a shot." For the 2003-2004 season the Wolfpack will be without Jake Genna, Steven Snyder, Jerome Miller, and Rob Lackey. Returning from last year?s team will be Mark Woodwell, Chris Hickman, Andrew Hollifield, Alex Pingel, Josh Matteo, Brandon Gregor, Cory Millet, and goalies Casey Laborde and Justin Sanders. The team will welcome some new faces as well. Jake Wargo joins the team after transferring from ECU; Jake led all ACRHA scorers at Nationals last season, and was named to the CRHL NCT All Tournament Team. Scott Gaydos and Alan Rowe are rejoining the Wolfpack after a short hiatus from the team. Some new additions for this season include: Wes McDaniel, Ryan Cedermark, Kevin Thomas, Christopher Johnson, and Mike Downer. The depth of talent for the Wolfpack this year is greater than ever before. The Pack has added some dangerous scoring power with its new players, as well as a lot of speed on both offense and defense. Captains Chris Hickman and Josh Matteo, along with alternate captains Alex Pingel and Mark Woodwell will bring a strong leadership to the team. Head Coach Jake Plancon comes in with a great knowledge of the game as well as experience in coaching. Coach Plancon has led many teams to national events and now will have a chance to direct a collegiate squad that is ripe with talent. The Pack is aware of the tremendous expectations awaiting them this season, as they have become the team to beat, but remains confident that this new team possesses the talent to be a dominant force in the Atlantic Coast Roller Hockey Association, as well as a title contender in the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association.