The Observer, February 1, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 15
Season of change for Case Western Reserve hockey club
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There are a lot of things that go into making a team click. The coaches, the players themselves,and resources available are all necessary pieces to success in any team environment. And even with some tough transitions this off-season, the men's hockey team manages to keep a respectable record of 6-4, as well as maintain a shot at competing in the playoffs.
Hiring a new coach was one of the most important things on the agenda, and club president James Lowe thinks they have found the right guy in Mike Fetsko.
"Many of us on the team know Mike well, and get along great with him. So far he has been a great coach, very enthusiastic, dedicated, and enjoyable to have as part of our team."
Still in his first year, the team has managed to be successful and hopes to continue to win down the stretch. Lowe, meanwhile, is just happy to be competing in his final season as a senior.
A 3.97 GPA, a 35-hour work week, and "president" all appear on Lowe's resume. He is a business/finance major from North Olmsted, Ohio who has played hockey nearly all his life, yet he finds plenty of time to balance work, school, and the sport he loves. "It hasn't been tough to balance hockey and school," says Lowe. "It just isn't an option to miss playing hockey."
And busy he has been. Part of his duty as club president is to handle the funding for the hockey program. Club sports don't get nearly as much out of the school's budget as varsity sports or research endeavors. Lowe says that the team would like to practice more and play more home games at the Cleveland Heights rink, but the money just is not there, which limits what the team can do.
It isn't all bad being a club team, though. "The main benefit of being a club is that people with really busy schedules can still participate since we only practice twice a week and play games on the weekends," says Lowe. Other advantages include less pressure to win, as well as being able to switch leagues freely, which was also a change the club made this year.
"It was more of a necessity than a preference," Lowe says of switching to a new league. "We were in the College Hockey East league last year, and now we are in the College Hockey Association which is a little less competitive," he said,."Last season we only picked up one player and had some returning players quit, putting a lot of pressure on us financially." But players quitting has only been part of the story for the team.
Goalie Rob Walls, who Lowe says is probably "the best in our league," has been out with mono, leaving the goal duties to senior Dan Pawlowski. Pawlowski, who is usually an effective point getter, is a great team player according to Lowe. Along with Lowe, Walls, and Pawlowski, other contributors are forward Mike Stork, and defenders Matt Grabowski and Jeff Barbarits.
But with the season winding down to its final four games, Lowe is quite optimistic about their chances, even if Walls is to miss the remainder of them. "We expect to make the playoffs and do fairly well, but we will have to wait and see," says Lowe.
For their last home game of the year on Feb. 16 at 4:45p.m. , the team is holding Fan Appreciation Night where the rink will be open following the game for fans to skate with the players for free.
