The ice hockey club team at UNC Charlotte is starting a new season and expecting to do extremely well.
David Kenahan, the team’s treasurer, said they are expected to go undefeated in their division. “It’s not just a group of kids that play hockey for fun – it’s really competitive,” Kenahan said.
A two-week “boot camp” brought 45 students to try out for the team, said Kenahan. 30 of those 45 became a part of the UNC Charlotte club team. 20 members play per game, and the remaining 10 are back-ups in case injuries or other issues arise.
There is a really strong base returning to the team, said Dennis Crothers, vice president of the UNC Charlotte ice hockey club team. He also said many younger students came to the try-outs after seeing the success the team has had.
The 49ers have many resources to help them prepare for the season, including a personal trainer and a nutritionist, who ‘took over’ their diets.
In 2003, the ice hockey club team began with a group of guys that started a men’s league team and played at the local ice rink. Now the team plays against colleges across the country, including Georgia Institute of Technology, whose team is 3rd nationally ranked, according Kenahan. The 49ers ice hockey club team is division 3 and pre-ranked to go to nationals this year.
This is the team’s second year in the ACHA, the American Collegiate Hockey Association, said Crothers. This brings opportunities for them to play teams all over the east coast. The 49ers will also be hosting the Blue Ridge Hockey Conference championship this year, the conference the 49ers were a part of until they joined the ACHA.
“Fan support is a big thing for the team”, Kenahan said, “Many people don’t even know that there is a team.” It is a contact sport and although many people are waiting for football, ice hockey has many similarities that fans may enjoy.
The 49ers ice hockey club team play at the Extreme Ice Center off of I-485. Their first home game is Friday Oct. 9 against Johnson and Wales at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free for students with their ID card and 5 dollars per ticket for non-students.
On Oct. 30, the team will be collecting dog supplies donations for a non-profit puppy reserve. Admission for this home game against Appalachian State will be free if a donation is given.
The 49ers played their first game against Chapel Hill on Friday Oct. 2 and lost 8-5. “It was a tough game,” Crothers said via e-mail. Injuries took two players out of the game. “James Hosea was a big part in manning the comeback late in the game, but we eventually fell short,” Crothers said, “We started slow but eventually got the jitters out and played well.”
The team’s web site, ninerhockey.com, offers a schedule, roster, and other information about the 49ers ice hockey club team.
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