Original Article

A 1-5 start is not what Rob Westervelt expected, or wanted, from his Seckman hockey team. But after a 4-1 loss to Marquette last week, that’s the reality.

Seckman finished last season with a 13-7-3 record.

“Right now, we’re still trying to find out who we are,” the Jaguars head coach said before that Mid-States Club Hockey Association game. “We haven’t played a full game to our ability yet. I know we’re capable of having that killer instinct, but we haven’t found it for a full three periods.”

Westervelt said Seckman needs to focus on the little things.

“Where we have struggled is in trying to do too much,” he said. “The main thing I want from them is to get on the body more, and that will, hopefully, generate a little more momentum than we’ve had so far.”

Westervelt said he hopes that some subtle changes will boost the scoring attack.

“We’ve moved (defenseman) Parker Winkelmann up to forward, along with (freshman) Phil Harrell,” the coach said. “So we expect Winkelmann to be an offensive threat, when he’s not gone with his club team. We did that in the playoffs last year because we had plenty of defensemen, and needed goals. And we’ve got a couple of freshmen who are still trying to find their varsity game.”

No fewer than five freshmen made the Seckman roster – forwards Carter Ammel, Alec Grygleski, Drake Wilson and Gavin Freie, along with Harrell.

Senior Zach Stetina figures to be the biggest offensive threat.

“Zach’s a playmaker,” Westervelt said. “In the offensive zone, we need him to get open, get his shots, and do the dirty work down low. Other than him, and probably Parker, it’s going to be an unknown on who’s scoring, night in and night out. But I firmly believe that Hayden Berberich, our second-line center, will have a big year.”

On defense, the Jags have Grant Tamminga and Branden Birnstill back, and they are two really good defensemen. Drew Whitener, a transfer from Lutheran South, who can hit people, and Collin Johnson also are on the blue line. Chase Riley should also get some work on defense.

Senior Jake Bachesta, who served as the backup goalie last season, will have some big skates to fill with the departure of Cam Crutchley.

“Jake’s been playing really well,” Westervelt said. “In fact, probably the best I’ve seen him. He’s stopped a lot of shots, which is what we have to work on – trying to limit the chances we give the opposition. There aren’t many goalies like Cam who come through your high school program, but Bachesta is right up there.”

Westervelt said the Jaguars have the talent to make a run in the playoffs.

“As a group, they can go as far as they want,” he said.