The Heritage ice hockey team entered the FTL War Memorial rink 9 p.m. Jan. 13 for senior night, facing off against Columbus High School for the fourth time this season. Although tying 3-3, making their record for the season 8-9-2, the night was full of memories.
Before the game, each of the seven seniors – Nicholas Dunne, Alex Brennan, Joshua Canby, Patrick Mignacca, Benjamin Siefert and Aubrey Caprara – had a personalized announcement, sharing their future plans and how long they’ve been with the program. They then take the ice together for the first shift.
As seniors, each player has grown into an important role on the team. For example, Siefert wears many hats. “I believe that my biggest contribution to the team on the ice is maintaining a solid defensive game along with my partner/fellow senior Nick Dune and taking care of the higher-level players on the other teams. Off the ice, I believe that my biggest contribution is assisting Captain Alex Brennan with off-ice warm ups. At school or outside the rink, it’s being a role model for the younger players and offering advice,” Siefert said.
The Heritage hockey team faces a unique challenge, as a combined team from both the Broward and Palm Beach Campuses, of building the same level of camaraderie as teams that interact every day. “It’s always a bit of a challenge; however, last year we overcame that and became a very close-knit group, making it the first non-losing season in a long time for Heritage and even advancing to the semifinals for the first time ever. This year, we’ve brought in some talented freshmen and started the season incredibly strong. Unfortunately, we’ve stumbled a little along the way, so these last two games are crucial,” senior student manager Calliope Cuomo said.
The team plays next at the Panthers Ice Den Jan. 27 against Miami-Dade.
As for the future? It looks bright. “My team goals are to hopefully make it to regionals or states in the near future and my personal goal is to become the best player I can be, not only in skill, but also in sportsmanship,” freshman Jessica Dima said.
Both teams prepare to start the game, taking their positions. In hockey, there are goalies, wingers and defensemen, each playing their own important role. “I believe that my biggest contribution to the team, on and off the ice, is the effort I put in to our team at a defensive standpoint. I try my best to make sure I stay on my man and keep our goaltenders from facing shots,” freshman Kade Versteeg said. (Photo/Arianna Borhan)
