Trending
ESCANABA -- Their numbers may be down a little, but the Escanaba Eskymos believe they have quality hockey players this season.
Esky, which has 15 on its roster, opens by hosting Kingsford tonight at 7 at the Hannahville Ice & Turf Complex in Wells.
"We've got good players, and they're hard workers," said first-year head coach Andy Johnson. "We have two senior goaltenders and experience all the way around. We have only three freshmen, but they're catching on. They're moving the puck and keeping their heads up."
Dylan Ziemke and Bryce Buchbinder will share the net-minding duties.
Other seniors are forwards Karson Krutina and Jayger LaMarch and defenseman Clayton Smith.
"Our seniors are showing excellent leadership," said Johnson. "Karson is a very strong forward. He has speed and some skills. Jayger will also provide some senior leadership, and Clayton has all the same qualities as the other guys. He's a good, heads-up defenseman."
Juniors include forwards Brayden Martineau, Sawyer LaMarch, Trevor Streichert and Cody Nelson and defenseman Gunner Bourdeau.
"I can't say enough about their enthusiasm," said Johnson. "Sawyer is such a talented player. He has great speed and is such a smart player. Gunner is a smart defenseman and will be our go-to guy."
Underclassmen include sophomore defensemen Brett Labre and Isaiah Boyce and freshman forwards Riley Stannard, Cale Carter and Alex Schwalbach.
"All three of our freshmen are pretty skilled and will provide some speed on the power play," said Johnson. "We'll be dropping back on defense and keep the guys a little high in the offensive zone. We'll try to play a patient game. We'll go with this for the first half of the season and re-adjust if we have to. We're excited. We want to get the season going and see what have."
Johnson says the biggest thing the Eskymos need to work on is conditioning.
"We're going to have to be conditioned to go hard with a short bench," he added. "We also need to stay healthy. We need to stay away from injuries and sickness."
What can the Eskymos expect in their opener?
"Kingsford is going to be tough," said Johnson. "They'll be playing fast and get pucks on our net. I'm not sure who they have, but we're going to have to be ready."
Esky then travels to Houghton Friday for a 6 p.m. contest.
"That will be a good test for us, going up there to play one of the Copper Country teams," said Johnson. "We have to believe Houghton, Hancock, Calumet and Marquette are going to be the best teams we play all year."
Nov. 16 -- Kingsford; Nov. 19 -- at Houghton; Nov. 30 -- at Marquette.
Dec. 3-4 -- at Sault Ste. Marie; Dec. 7 -- Negaunee; Dec. 10 -- Muskegon Reeths-Puffer at Marquette; Dec. 11 -- Muskegon Mona Shores at Marquette; Dec. 17 -- Hancock; Dec. 23 -- Ashwaubenon, Wis.; Dec. 28 -- Dexter at Alpena; Dec. 29 -- at Alpena; Dec. 30 -- Painesdale Jeffers at Michigan Tech.
Jan. 6 -- at Kingsford (Iron Mountain); Jan. 7 -- Manistique; Jan. 13-15 -- at Traverse City Showcase; Jan. 21 -- Cadillac; Jan. 22 -- Calumet; Jan. 28 -- at Manistique.
Feb. 1 -- at Negaunee; Feb. 11 -- at Ashwaubenon, Wis.; Feb. 12 -- at DePere, Wis.; Feb. 17 -- at Hancock; Feb. 19 -- Painesdale Jeffers.