Player's Corner

All three teams are in the preliminary qualification of the leagues playoff brackets. This is truly an exciting time, with the varsity team’s leadership guiding the players to a possible first round bye in the playoffs. The varsity team has out scored their opponents 59 to 25, maintains a record of 5 wins, 1 loss and trails the league leading McClure Team by only 1 point. The varsity team is scheduled to play the McClure Team Wednesday April 25th at 9:00 p.m. at Omni in their only regular season match up. It is a possible match up that can lead to a championship season for the varsity squad. Now that is exciting! If you bleed purple, than make an effort and participate in the ROAR to support your varsity team in their quest for that championship season!

The varsity team has many players creating significant contributions to the teams performance. Zach Jacob has obtained a point in every game so far this season. Sean Philbin and Elliot Thomas support the team with points in each of the past 5 games. Zach Jacob, Zach Micks and Alec Schnitzier have each had multiple point games. Zach Dunavin, Zach Jacob, Zach Micks and Sean Philbin have each had hat tricks in various games so far this season. The team has Logan Martin defending their goal and is currently ranked 3rd out of 23 in their division with a 3.32 goals against average and a 0.813 save percentage. This is truly a team that everyone should be very excited about. Everyone enjoys a winning season, so make an effort and support your varsity squad in their final push for that championship season. Their next game is this Saturday March 31, at 11:00 a.m. at All American in south county, when they take on St. Louis University High School.

The junior varsity team is attacking and defending against all opponents with 6 wins and 0 losses. They have out scored their opponents 47 to 17 and lead their division. With a week long break, all of their players are rested and ready to go into the second half of their season. An early playoff match up prediction would have them facing Oakville. The goal this season is to support the varsity squad and obtain a championship season that will begin the tradition of winning for the Fort Zumwalt West Inline Hockey Club.

The junior varsity team has multiple players obtaining points in every game so far this season. Justin Steller, Trenton Southards, John Pfannebecker and Mike Glasener have obtained points in each of their games so far this season. Mitch Moeller, Anthony Foppe, Stephen Freund, Robert McKenney and Nick Renfert have also supported the team with point streaks in consecutive games. The team has a multiple number of players contributing big during various games so far this season. But all would mean nothing if you did not have a strong defense led by the team’s goalie Greg Kraft. Greg currently leads their division, ranked number 1 out of 12 with a 2.83 goals against average and a 0.845 save percentage. Come see the players of the future and support them in their next match up this Saturday, March 31st at 9:00 p.m. at Omni in Cave Springs, when they take on Northwest High School. It would be my guess that you might see some great passing and some great team play!

The "C" team has out scored their opponents 40 to 23 and trails the division leading Fox Team by two (2) points. A strong finish by the team and they can also compete for the 1st place lead in their division. They are currently competing for a playoff spot and their preliminary match up indicates a re-match game with DeSmet.

This is another young team that has surprised us all and is perhaps the most exciting team to watch. If you like to see a gritty team that can get your purple blood rushing than you will not want to miss any of the "C" team games. This team is lead by a composite of players that is truly energetic and absolutely full of passion. The team is lead by many and has a supporting staff of various players contributing to the team’s success. Cavin Penn, Brandon Kirkpatrick, Sam Eichenlaub, Kyle Gnau, Michael Ness and Brian Wilson are contributing points in many of the teams battles. Cavin Penn has obtained points in 5 consecutive games with Michael Ness and Brandon Kirkpatrick contributing in the past 2 and 4 consecutive games. Sam Eichenlaub, Michael Ness, Brandon Kirkpatrick, Cavin Penn and Brian Wilson have all had games with three (3) or more points. Kyle Gnau has contributed with multiple goal games in 2 of the teams battles. The contributions on this team are spread out with everyone getting in on the action. Chelsea Renfert, Hannah Wetteroth, Alex Dye and a late pickup Colbei Sakuma have all gotten in on the action. The team is defended by Tyler Kopf, which is ranked 3rd out of 19 in their division with a 2.52 goals against average and a 0.866 save percentage. Quite simply if you can not get excited during one of this team’s games, than you don’t like inline hockey. If you are lucky, you might even get a cookie for attending.

The club’s teams are representing the club well this season with a very competitive spirit. The fans of the club are anticipating all three teams to be in the playoffs. Fort Zumwalt West High School, within the Missouri Inline Hockey Association, will be represented very well. And, speaking for the entire fan base, we are proud of our teams and anticipate a second half that we will be able to remember for many years to come. Remember, players and fans, memories are treasured.

Once again, the season began with a lot of questions, which has evolved into a club with a lot of excitement among all three teams. The three teams are generating a lot of wins and some promising performances. Positive attitudes and a lot of energy, coupled with skill is going to provide fans of Fort Zumwalt West Inline Hockey some great times at the rink.

Invite some friends and perhaps they too will become fans of the game. For many of the players and parents, we take the game for granite. Most likely your friends know that you are involved in hockey, but can only relate it to the professional games seen on television. Perhaps a visit to one of the Fort Zumwalt West Inline Hockey games will enlighten a new fan on the speed and excitement of inline hockey. Recently I was sitting next to a friend of a parent on an opposing team. The conversation between the two of us was filled with intrigue. It was his first time to see inline hockey and he was impressed. At least until his team began to fall further behind. His curiosity led the conversation about the variance in the rules, the age which the players begin playing, where do they play, how many schools are involved and on and on and on. His excitement was sincere and it sparked a lot of interest in a game which he though he knew, but realized he really did not know this sport very well at all.

This encounter brought me back to reality, that although the game has the word hockey attached to it. Inline Hockey really is a totally different game. Perhaps some of your friends might see it the same way. So, next time you have a game, make the offer, have a few friends join us and get them roaring about Fort Zumwalt West Inline Hockey.

The teams are off to great starts.
The atmosphere around the teams is uplifting.
And the future of the club is promising.

The elections for the 2007 - 2008 President, six (6) Board of Directors, Head Coach and three (3) Team Coaches is soon to be here. The club needs volunteers to step up and participate in your child's interest. It is the primary goal of the club, to establish and create an organization in which your child and the players of Fort Zumwalt West Inline Hockey Club can be very proud to be a part of. For this atmosphere to be present, it is going to take commitment from all of the parents. The purpose of the Board of Directors and the Coaching Staff is to operate and plan the current and future of the club's existence.

Recently I have had a multiple number of parents ask how they can participate. They were concerned for they have never been involved in a structured organization before and was not sure that they could contribute with an adequate amount of knowledge. My number one response to every parent is this:

"Ask yourself if you care about the immediate and far future of the club?

Do you want to create an environment in which your child can be very proud to be a part of the Fort Zumwalt West Inline Hockey Club?

Are you willing to donate your time for some true work?

Are you willing to volunteer for the benefit of the club and not specifically your child?

If you can generally say yes to these questions, than throw your hat in the rink and lets move forward! "

Our goal is to collect all of the names, contact information and positions in which you would be willing to serve by April 30th. We will be passing out our volunteer sheets in multiple waves during the next couple of weeks. Or you can submit your information on line, e-mail, write it down on a sheet of paper and give it to Kevin Jacob, or another board member. Please, keep in mind the desire to create a positive organization for the players is the number one requirement for being involved. The club will fit your abilities to the needs of the club.

It is not about the title, it is about the players pride!