By Avonlea Cummings
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The winter season for the Medfield girls' hockey team commenced in late November 2023. The team initiated its preseason activities, incorporating new recruits into the roster. Notably, this season distinguishes itself from previous years as six eighth graders have received approval to join the high school team, providing the Warriors with a complete roster to confront the challenges of the upcoming season.
Head coach John Summers shared insights into the team's strong start to the season. Additionally, he emphasized the team's commitment to building chemistry through both on-ice and off-ice volunteer activities. These initiatives include special game days dedicated to supporting various organizations and raising awareness about mental health. The team also engages in activities such as assisting younger hockey players.
“We do a lot of things on and off the ice, we have a lot of games, we have a pink game for cancer awareness. We're doing a mental health game this year; we volunteer with the Boston Bear Cubs hockey program that specializes in hockey players who have autism and Developmental disabilities. So, they come and they volunteer on a couple of Saturdays as a team, they do a lot of stuff off the ice. And it's really good to see what's going on in the world outside of hockey. I'm very fortunate to have a great group of kids they come down and volunteer, and they enjoy it,” said Summers.
It is a new season, which means there is new leadership for the Warriors. The girls' hockey team will have four captains, Catherine Bannister, Michaela McDonald, Katelyn Nicotera, and Lily Bligh. Coach Summers spoke highly of each captain this year and what qualities they will bring to leadership this season.
“I have four captains. Catherine Bannister, she just does everything, and she supports everyone. I've been coaching her for four years. She's just one of those kids that she’ll do anything for the team. My other captain is Michaela McDonald, she's a junior, and my only junior captain. It’s the same thing with her, she's a real supporter and she's probably my best defense in all of my team. She is also really good with kids, and everyone respects her. Another captain is my goalie, and she's also a senior. Her name is Katelyn Nicotera. Katelyn, when she first started out, was a forward as a freshman. In her second year, she moved to play defense, and then in her junior year, she moved to goalie, so she’s a great athlete. She ended up being the Tri-Valley Allstar for goalie last year. My last captain is Lily Bligh, and she supports everyone. Her younger sister is an eighth grader on the team, so it'll be kind of fun for her playing with her sister who's an eighth grader because I don't think they've ever played on the same team,” said Summers.
Sharing what he hopes the team will bring this season by adding nine new players, Coach Summers believes this season gives the chance to add depth to the bench this year, having four lines.
“I have a lot of depth and I think we just have a lot of kids on our team that if we can blend in and they can play multiple positions and that's going to cause a problem for all the teams in the league, we should be middle to the upper end of the pack of the league this year,” said Summers.
The Warriors kick off the season on Saturday, December 9th against the Walpole Timberwolves at the Rodman Arena, the competition is scheduled for puck drop at 1 PM.
