Friday October 22nd at 9:00pm marks the first game in collegiate play for the Maryville University Roller Hockey Team. The Saints will play the St. Louis University Billikens at Midwest Sport Hockey at Queeny Park in Chesterfield, MO.
“We’re excited to get the season started.” Said head coach Nic Rodgers. “We have spent a year putting this team together and after some hard, late night practices we are ready to get this season started.”
The team will join the Great Plains Collegiate Inline Hockey League (GPCIHL) in the division II conference. The GPCIHL is a part of the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA). The Saints will join 11 other schools in the conference: Truman State, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Western Illinois University, Washington University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Kansas State, Illinois State, University of Illinois, Southeast Missouri State, SIU-Carbondale, and St. Louis University.
Maryville will play all of their teams in the conference at least once and will compete against other schools around the area during their regular season. The team will then compete in the playoffs during March of 2011. The top two teams will play in the national championship in a location that is yet to be determined.
“I think it would be great to make a run for the national championship. Look at what it has done for UMSL and Lindenwood. Both schools get players from as far as California. For the last 5 years, the two schools have been top in the nation. I think our school would love to have that type of exposure.” Said senior goaltender Brad Gregory.
Maryville University is just happy to get a roller hockey team put together. The team looks to add a new tradition to Maryville and to add a new layer of involvement for students at Maryville.
“It’s a great addition to the list of activities for the students. Nothing like it is currently offered.” Said the advisor for the Saints hockey team KatieJo Kuhens.
The Saints look to build a fun, competitive program and support from the campus community during their inaugural season.
“I think having a hockey team will be great for Maryville University. It will give the students another team to root for, Dawg Pound more events to host, and it will get students more involved with the athletic side of Maryville University. Also, I think it is fitting that a school that is a business partner of the St. Louis Blues has a hockey team.” Said sophomore defenseman Chris Eaton.
“We have been recruiting from all over campus and have been getting involved in events and activities to get our name out there. We want this to be a great way for students, both players and fans, to get involved and have a great time doing it.” Said coach Rodgers.The Saints schedule, game locations, and roster are posted on their website: http://greatplainshockey.com/team.php?team_id=54356
No comments:
Post a Comment