When a team is crowned national champions, it’s a celebration that could technically last an entire year.
But as national champions, next year’s team will inevitably have a bullseye on its back as well as increased expectations moving forward.
The 2013-2014 season for the UW-Eau Claire men’s hockey team will be about maintaining that level of success.
The Blugolds will not only head into the 2013-2014 season as national champions, but also as a team that will have graduated 10 seniors.
For head coach Matt Loen, expectations are high and doesn’t want to give up the title after just one year.
“We definitely have a target on our back with winning the national championship, but we will continue the winning tradition here,” Loen said.
The team will have half of a new team next year and recruiting solid freshmen to join their squad is now the focus. The championship team and coaching staff will approach next season just like any other.
“The environment of our team will change,” Loen said. “We will have to defend the title with some youth; however, we have a good core coming back. We won’t change anything drastic. We are bringing in dynamic freshmen and will prepare for this season the same as last.”
After graduating a large group of seniors it’s fair to wonder how the solidarity of the team will be affected. From the coaching staff to players, it is obvious the team will do their best to start next season off the way they ended this year.
“We will have a great chance at the same success and that will come with the freshmen getting comfortable quickly,” freshman forward Taylor Ward said. “Everyone needs to work just as hard as we did last year to stay in that number one spot. Since we will have a lot of freshman, the quicker we can get them to buy into our systems and attitude, the better we will be.”
Junior forward Jared Williams also said he is confident his team will have a good chance next season to be back in the national tournament. With training through the spring and summer the Blugolds will work on skill and team chemistry to prepare for the winter season.
“With the conference changing, we feel we will be the top dog,” Williams said. “Hitting the gym four times a week and consistently finding ice this summer will help us as individuals and as a team prepare for next season.”
The National Collegiate Hockey Association conference will break up starting next season. The Blugolds will have 12 WIAC games and 13 non-conference games next season.
Looking forward to the upcoming season, junior Mark Pustin said next year’s team has what it takes to hoist the championship trophy again.
“Our team is going to be strong next year,” Pustin said. “I am looking forward to a season that builds on the one we just had. We are looking forward to not only returning to the Frozen Four but win(ning) another championship.”
The Blugolds have already started their offseason training at Hobbs Ice Arena. The players and coaching staff will continue to use their hard work ethic as they take the crucial steps towards being a contender again for the national tournament during the 2013-2014 Div. III hockey season.
