Staff Writer
Presque Isle High School hockey will retake the ice on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Forum a seasoned team looking to advance on the Eastern Maine title that Brewer slapped from their grasp last year. The ’06 Wildcats finished fourth in their regular season Class B standings, finished off John Bapst in quarterfinals and pulled the upset over number-one Orono, only to fall short of the final prize.
Sixteen players return from that team in addition to one new goalie and three new faces behind the big blue mask. While familiar with Maine hockey play, the league has changed from last year with the addition of Cape Elizabeth, Greely, Bangor, Camden Hills and Windale. “These are strong teams,” said coach Dr. Carl Flynn. The class B conference also lost the Stearns and Foxcroft Academy who ended their hockey programs.
Presque Isle graduated captain Ben McPherson, one of their top offensive line skaters and wingers Spencer Deschene and Jared Buck. The offensive starting lineup will include junior Dylan Collins who had 12 goals and 13 assists last year, sophomore Brennen Shaw who had 15 goals and 13 assists, and sophomore Zack Campbell. Senior Brandon Daigle, who has tallied 47 goals and 32 assists in his career, will head the second line with seniors Sean Flanagin and Matt Talbot. Senior Lucas McPherson, juniors Mark Carvell and Josh Buck, sophomore Mitchell Davis and freshmen Caleb Buck and Jacob Buck also join the list of Wildcat forwards.
Seniors Greg Cyr and Parker Hovey will lead the team and defense as 2007 captains. Both Wildcats have played hockey all four years and, according to Flynn, work on offensive and defensive plays. Also on the defensive roster are sophomores Steve Ford, Jason Martin and Mitchell Sperrey. Freshman Jordan Hallett brings a new face and skills to Wildcat defense.
Senior Ethan Hill will keep the PIHS goal, having played all 28 games in last season. Freshman Josh MacFarlane comes up from middle school into the net and Hill’s tutelage.
Sophomores Casey Carson and Kacey Wilcox will keep team statistics in order as team managers. Brian Lundquist and John Haley will assist Flynn in coaching this season.
Flynn looks to have another playoff-worthy season based on the roster experience. “We should be able to out-skate and out muscle a lot of our competition … expect offensive punch out of our defensemen.”
In order to charge towards the plaque Flynn will keep a disciplined team. “We need to capitalize on our power plays and stay out of the penalty box.”
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
WILDCAT HOCKEY: (back row) Mark Carvell, Lucas McPherson, Mitch Davis, Jordan Hallett, Brennen Shaw, Steve Ford, Matt Talbot, Jason Martin, Sean Flanagin and Zac Campbell. (middle row) Assistant coach John Haley, manager Kacey Wilcox, Josh Buck, Jacob Buck, assistant captain Greg Cyr, captain Parker Hovey, assistant captain Dylan Collins, Caleb Buck, manager Casey Carson and head coach Carl Flynn, MD. (front) Josh MacFarlane and Ethan Hill. (absent) Mitch Sperrey, Brandon Daigle and assistant coach Brian Lundquist.
