Naperville Hockey Club Seeks Recognition
There used to be a time where, on a Sunday night you struggled to find parking at All Seasons Ice Arena in Aurora, to watch either a Naperville North Huskies hockey game or a Naperville Central Redhawks Hockey game.
But, for now, those days are a thing of the past sadly.
In its place, the combined team of Naperville (Naperville North, Naperville Central, Wheaton St. Francis) will once again make its return to the ice under 2nd yr. head coach Scott Matthews. Matthews, whose club finished .500 last season, lost eight players to graduation all while welcoming back 15 returning players to its varsity club this season in this, his 21st year of coaching.
“I think what is happening is we just are not getting a lot of new players,” Matthews said. “I think because of the (Chicago) Blackhawks not being very good. There is just not a lot of interest right now.”
Some 32 players came out for varsity this season for Naperville which is a no-cut club. Matthews expects his team to be better and smarter hockey.
Naperville on offense this season is led by so. Fwd. Landon Connolly (Naperville Central), sr. fwd. Connor Eilers (Naperville North) and sr. fwd. Travis Holub (Naperville North).
“Landon played AAA last year and is a very good puck-handler,” Matthews said. “With Connor, he’s got great vision and is an excellent passer. But our speed guy is (Travis) Holub who has just a cannon of a shot.”
For now, Naperville is able to put out two solid lines according to Matthews.
“We are still just a work in progress,” Matthews said. “As of now I think we are truly a ‘middle of the pack’ club in the league.”
Naperville fans will be pleased to know the blue line will be well cared for with the likes of Sr. def. Hayden Williams (Naperville North) and sr. def Mark Vander Bloeman (Naperville Central).
“(Hayden) Williams is the backbone of our defense,” Matthews said. “He defends really well. Van der Bloemen has an excellent shot. He was a kid who grew up playing Sabers travel hockey and just has a lot of character.”
For now, Naperville will look to get solid goaltending from its only varsity goalie in sr. Sam Carleton (Naperville North).
“He has a great glove hand,” Matthews said of his goaltender. “He gets down low very well. He is the type of goalie who just makes crazy saves. He will be on his back in the crease and make a save and you wonder how he did it.”
Matthews, whose team will play their home games primarily at All Seasons Ice Arena in Aurora, said his team will play most of its games in Illinois West with only playing in just two local tournaments.
“I am sure we will surprise some teams this year,” Matthews said. “We’ll win some. We’ll lose some. One area I want our team to focus on is improving our play along the side boards. That will be key for us to improve.”