Can't Wait for the Skate?

By Kaitlyn Seguso

Winter is coming so that means that varsity ice hockey season is right around the corner. The dubset ice hockey team is expecting some really big changes, and they have high expectations for the season. Coach Howie Rubenstein and Assistant Coach Dan Broderick are determined to lead their teams to victory.

The schedule for the 2024-2025 hockey team looks promising. In their first couple of games the Tigers will take on their “Guy Mathews Thanksgiving Tournament.” The Tigers will play Mahopac the first day, Carmel the second day, and finally Fox Lane their third day.

The team will be led by head captain Lev Glazman and assistant captains Vince Dalessandro, Ethan Ilberg, Ari Bernstein and Julian Bystricky. This year, Glazman is expecting and hoping to win league and wants the underclassmen to come out of their shells and everyone on the team to step up. He said that when the team faces hard, good teams the most important element is defense—the goal is to hold the score close and look for an opening to score.

For the “Guy Matthews Thanksgiving tournament” Glazman's expectations are for the team to play its best and come out undefeated. Even though the team lost some seniors and did not gain any new freshmen other than the ones that played in eighth grade last year, Glazman thinks the team will do well and be able to pick up right where they left off from last year. The players still have the best bond they have had ever had.

“We all just try to find the time to hangout,” Glazman said. "It doesn’t matter what grade you are in; everyone respects everyone and loves each other because the team is a family."

The coaches know how to form and work a team. Broderick played at a very high level in hockey. and Rubenstein coached at a very high level. The team is hoping to improve its recruiting efforts and attract even more talented athletes to play for the Tigers.

Though being a captain takes time as well as confidence and leadership—and is a tough position to get and keep—Glazman is up to the task.

“It takes a lot of confidence to tell people what they need to work on,” Glazman said.

  With great athletes, great captains, and great coaches, the WPHS hockey team is primed for a memorable season.