For the first time in the history of the Manitowoc Youth Hockey Association, all five teams that are eligible to compete in a state tournament will be doing so.
This week, we will be highlighting each team in anticipation of their respective state tournaments, starting with the Squirt C team.
For those who are unaware, the Squirt level consists of players that are 9 and 10 years old and is the first level of competitive hockey.
We spoke with Coach Dale Comeau, who explained that because of that jump to the competitive level, coaching at this level requires a focus on the fundamentals.
“The level before this is the Mite level where there is no lines, there’s no rules really,” Comer explained. “Here it’s a lot because you have to introduce offsides, icing. Teaching these kids along with the skills is a lot of hard work.”
We asked Coach Comeau how his players have responded to that change, and he said they have come a long way.
“They started off as a team that would be losing 14-0, 15-0, and all of a sudden we are winning,” the coach explained. He likened his team to that of the proverbial underdog story, “Very similar to like the movie Mighty Ducks, where we started off bad and finished real good.”
One of the first-year players Defenseman Garret Ziemer told us he really likes playing the competitive game.
“It feels really cool because it’s full ice, and I’ve never been to state before,” he said. “I’m really excited.”
Center Oliver Wetzel said he enjoys playing because “It’s kinda fun because I know them from school…and I can carry that fun to the game.”
The Breakers Squirt C team will be representing Manitowoc this weekend at the state tournament, which is being held in Black River Falls.
You can tune in to WOMT’s Sports Talk program tonight to hear more from each of the five teams, or stop on in at Brix in Downtown Manitowoc. The show begins at 5:30 P.M.
Tomorrow we will hear from the Squirt B team, who will also be in action this weekend.
