By David Almeda (Staff Writer)
Kennesaw State’s club hockey team has long been a popular program among KSU students, and they are back. The team spent the entire 2013-14 season off the ice thanks to a suspension handed down by KSU’s Department of Sports and Recreation, but according to team captain Dylan Conklin, this year’s squad is ready to get back on the ice.
The squad has consistently performed at a high level, winning the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division III national championship in 2007 and amassing a 24-4-0-2 record during the 2012-13 season.
With an almost entirely revamped roster to go along with new coaches, KSU club hockey is looking to move past the lost season and redeem it with another successful campaign. With only six returning players, the team has constructed a new roster from the ground up.
“We’ve completely rebuilt the team,” Conklin said. “We started from scratch, pretty much. Me, team president Will Galucki and the coaching staff have worked really hard to get everything back together during the last year.”
That’s not to say that the fresh faces are lacking in experience. Newcomers like Rick Fiorillo bring their skill sets to the new look Owls. Like Conklin, Fiorillo previously played juniors with the Atlanta Knights of the U.S. Premier Hockey League.
“He’s a grinder,” Conklin said. “He’s really fast, so he’s always burying the corners, hitting people and always being in front of the net. He’ll score a few goals in front.”
With 15-20 new players on this year’s squad, passing the winning tradition on was essential. To help with this, the Owls brought in some coaches who know a thing or two about what it takes to win big
“I think the coaching plays a huge role this year compared to last year,” Conklin said. “We’ve got three new coaches, two are alumni that were on the national championship team. I think that’s going to help a lot.”
Returning players will also serve a big purpose this season. Cody Durrwachter, who will probably be the assistant captain this season, looks to be one of the Owls’ bigger weapons.
“He’s been here for a few years,” Conklin said. “I played juniors with him as well with the Knights. He’ll probably be one of our top scorers as well.”
It won’t take very long for the Owls to gauge how good they are. Right out of the gate, KSU will be tested when they play their first two games against Ole Miss at home to begin their season. While the Owls weren’t able to schedule the annual matchup against Georgia this year, they will be facing Georgia Tech and Tulane at home.
“Ole Miss is going to be the toughest game,”Conklin said. “I’m hoping it’s going to be big. Every year we have 2,000 to 2,500 fans at the home opener.”
The Owls will take to the ice for the home opener Sept. 19 at 10p.m., at the Ice Forum off George Busbee Parkway, across from Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The team is dedicating the game to Scott Frenzel, a member of the team who tragically passed away in his sleep during the offseason.
