With last year being a rebuilding year for the BU Varsity squad, BU is looking to succeed right off the bat this season knowing they can compete with any team in the state.
With a lot of returning seniors and experienced juniors who will contribute a ton to the team, BU is ready to make a deep run in the playoffs like they did last year.
One of those experienced juniors is forward Kevin Wilberding, who has high expectations for this veteran squad. He believes the wins will come throughout the entire season and that contributions will be made from everyone on the roster.
“I expect that we will be significantly over .500 and have a very good shot at winning our league,” said Wilberding. “I don’t see why we won’t be able to get as far as last year in the playoffs, if not further.”
Senior assistant captain and defenseman Danny Bailey the key ingredient to BU’s success is production from their high powered offense.
“Our offense is much better than last year,” said Bailey. “We should be able to score goals at will which was shown against Clarkston.”
The captain of the BU hockey team this year is senior defenseman Matt McCarthy. Assistant captains of the team include seniors Bennett Thomson, Ross Wilberding, and Bailey. With two captains playing defense and two playing forward, the captains will be able to teach the team new things they can work on to help the squad improve all aspects of their game.
Kevin Wilberding knows the success of the team relies greatly upon the leadership of these four captains.
“The captains bring loads of experience to the team,” said Wilberding. “All of the captains have been on varsity since their sophomore/freshman year so they know what it takes to compete in the league.”
Bailey realizes the importance of his role on this hockey team and is more than willing to step up to the plate.
“I can lead by example,” said Bailey. “I will work hard every day in practice which will make my teammates work hard.”
BU’s confidence is at an all time high after winning districts last season and almost pulling off a shocker in regional play against powerhouse Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. Bailey believes the team will be able to build off this success and take it into this season’s play.
“It really showed we can achieve these goals if we put in hard work ethic every day throughout the season,” said Bailey.
Newcomers to the BU squad include sophomore John Quay, sophomore Mike Ryan, sophomore Jake Ballicki, sophomore Spencer Whitehead, and junior Brother Rice transfer Derrick Amboyan. Wilberding believes all these players are more than capable of making an impact right off the bat.
“I can’t think of any one of them that won’t make an impact on the team,” said Wilberding.
After a 6-0 loss to defending state champion Cranbrook and a heartbreaking 5-4 defeat against Clarkston, BU looks to bounce back November 27th when they take on DeWitt/St. Johns.
