SARATOGA SPRINGS — Seven months after capping a dominating postseason with a state title, the Blue Streaks of 2013-14 have taken the ice, ready to defend it.
Truly realizing what last year’s team accomplished is something that might not set in until December 6—the unveiling of the championship banner at the home opener against Section I Mamaroneck—said Saratoga Springs head coach Dave Torres.
“It’s the buzz of the school already,” said Torres, who has been in recent contact with members of the Blue Streaks 1999 state champion team. “The hockey fans in Saratoga are second to none. We’ve been all over the state and we have the best fans in the state as far as I’m concerned. To unveil that banner is going to mean a lot. We have rings and they mean a lot. Like I tell the kids, ‘You can never take away a state championship.’”
With the loss of a senior class that included New York state player of the year Tyler Bullard, Section II goalie of the year Dakota Smith and the Flynn brothers (Matt and Ryan), who cruised through the playoffs with 15 goals and 30 points between them, the Blue Streaks have their work cut out for them.
“Losing that senior class leaves big shoes to fill,” Torres said. “Dakota Smith was one of the top goalies in the state and Brendon Wormley was a top defenseman in the state. The whole line of Tyler [Bullard], Devin Smith and Nick Winters, who carried us all year, that was great senior leadership and it’s going to be tough to fill. That’s why it’s so hard to repeat as champions year in and year out when you lose that kind of talent.”
For the Blue Streaks to put themselves in position for the program’s third state title, they will need players like Drew Patterson, Elliot Hungerford, JT Rafferty, Devin Coffey and Matt Klingbeil to take the reins offensively.
“[Drew Patterson]’s a great player,” Torres said. “Toward the end of last year he skated with the Flynn’s, which he gained valuable experience from. He’s a great hockey player and he has so much talent and ability that I’m looking forward to watching him play this year.”
In total, the Blue Streaks return 15 players from last season, which includes some who have two years of state-play experience, as Torres and his staff cut the team down to a 25-man roster last week.
“These kids are hungry,” Torres said. “They know there’s a target on their back, which I always preach. Our biggest critics are ourselves. We just want to do the best we can and represent Saratoga hockey like we are the state champions. They know what it takes. It’s a lot of hard work and determination and they’re gearing for it.”
The roster includes four goalkeepers who are vying for the starting job: returning seniors Zack Jones and Ryan Paton, and sophomores Tom Fornabia and Danny Hobbs.
Of the four, who all saw time Wednesday night in the team’s first scrimmage against CBA at the Weibel Ave rink, Jones has the most varsity experience. He played 37 minutes in three games between the posts last season.
Last postseason, Dakota Smith and the Blue Streaks defense held opponents to four shutouts, as Saratoga Springs outscored opponents 27-3 in six games, including the 5-0 title clincher against McQuaid Jesuit at Memorial Auditorium.
Since getting that taste of championship-winning experience in Utica, this year’s senior captains—Klingbeil, Patterson and defenseman Nick Conchieri—and the rest of the team haven’t wasted any time.
Torres noticed his guys individually working harder in the weight room this offseason
“They knew they needed to get stronger physically,” Torres said. “Mentally, that comes with time.”
In his third season as head coach, Torres has not yet missed the Frozen Four, as he has helped keep alive the program’s current streak of four straight Section II titles and four straight regional championships.
The Blue Streaks will look to continue the winning tradition in the regular season opener against Guilderland/Mohonasen, December 3 at Union at 7:30 p.m.
“I think we’re ready to go,” Torres said. “I think we’re ready to see what we’ve got. We’re young in the season, but the kids are hungry. They’re ready to hit somebody else besides their own teammates.”
Up next, the Streaks are set to scrimmage three teams this Saturday at UnionCollege.
They will play last year’s Section II tournament runner-up Shenendehowa at 5:35 p.m., Bethlehem at 6:55 p.m. and Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa at 8:15 p.m. before the regular season games begin and the path to defending a title is officially underway.
“We’re not pompous about it,” Torres said. “We know we’re the champs, but we go about our business like every other year and know we’re only as good as our last game or just as bad as our last game. I’m sure people want to take down the defending state champs, but we’re also looking forward to the opportunity ahead of us, defending it and bringing it back to Saratoga.”
