As Penn hockey gets ready for an exciting 2024-2025 season. They are looking for “Endeavoring for dedication” within the team, as they hope to be a strong, determined team. Coach Brown will be leading them in yet another great season.
Season Recap
As the winter chill settles over Indiana, the Penn High School hockey team is gearing up for another thrilling season on the ice. Last year Penn went 17-17-5 being ranked 7th in the state. Excitement is seen within both the players and coaches, who are setting high expectations this season. This year the team is focusing on being a faster and exhilarated team both defensively and offensively. As the captain Joel Cocquyt makes an outstanding return for the new season.
Offensive: A Balanced Attack
Penn’s hockey offense is characterized by its depth and versatility. Leading the team and the offensive line is senior Joel Cocquyt, whose combination of speed and precision shooting makes him a constant threat to opposing defense. Cocquyt has had an outstanding medical comeback and thrives as captain of Penn varsity. It hasn’t been easy as Cocquyt explains, “… I didn’t think I was gonna be able to play, so everytime I step on the ice, it’s a blessing.”
Complementing Cocquyt are Brooks Clark and Patrick Amico. Both known for their playmaking abilities, that leads the team to victory. With their incredible slap shots and physical speed, adds a different dimension to the attack, making it difficult for opponents to predict and counter the Kingsmen’s offensive line and plays.
Defense: A Wall of Resilience
On the defensive end, the Kingsmen are anchored by assistant captain Trevor Hull. Hull’s Leadership for Penn’s defensive line on and off the ice is invaluable, and his ability to read the game and make crucial decisions set the tone for the team’s defensive strategy. Alongside him is senior assistant defensemen captain John Isacson, whose prowess skills and physicality make him a key asset in protecting the net
Coach Brown’s defensive philosophy revolves around discipline, communication, powerplays, and four checks. The team practices rigorous defensive drills to keep them on their toes focusing on speed, four checks, stick work, and maintaining a tight formation. This disciplined approach ensures that the Kingsmen are difficult to break down, even against the most potent offenses.
Coach Brown explains, “We’ve had a really good start to the year and I like this team. We’re very deep, we have four good lines, six good defense, and two good goalies, so we’re pretty solid this year.”
Goaltending: The Last Line of Defense
In goal, the Kingsmen have two reliable and experienced netminders, Noah Langness and Eli Shumaker. Both able to stay calm under pressure have earned them their spots on the varsity gold this year. Both are determined to improve on their game every year and strive to defend the net as much as possible.
Powerplay
As the Penn Hockey team gears up for the upcoming season, anticipation and excitement fills the air. With that mix of returning veterans and promising newcomers, the team is poised to make a significant impact on the ice. One of the key strategies for the upcoming season is the implementation of a high pressure forechecks. By aggressively pressuring the puck carrier in the offensive zone, the Kingsmen aim to force turnovers and create scoring opportunities. Coach Brown has been working tirelessly with the players, focusing on making the team more disciplined to stand out.
“Our four checks are really effective when we get going and always working on the power play. The power play is huge in high school hockey because there are a lot of penalties, so the powerplay is a key thing for us,” Brown said.
Having strategic gameplay will allow for the team to ensure they are ready for any challenges that come their way this season.
One of the key aspects of this season is the team’s speed. Not only that but working personally to excel for the team.
“Just stay active, stay in the gym, keep your cardio up,” Captain Joel Cocquyt explains.
The team’s speed has shown remarkable improvement during the preseason. The players have been honing their skills emphasizing communication throughout and coordinating to shut down their opponents.
The Prize
The team’s aspirations are high, with eyes set on the state championship. With last year’s championship only being a game out of reach, the team is motivated, the strategies are sound, and the support from the school and community is unwavering. As more of the season unfolds, Penn’s hockey fans can look forward to thrilling matches, standout performances, and hopefully, a triumphant journey to the top.
This season is looking to be one of the most promising seasons so far for Penn. With every game offering a chance to witness the culmination of hard work, talent, and strategic brilliance.
