Hawks excited about improvement on ice

HOUSTON — There’s new excitement surrounding the Houston High hockey program.

With some newfound talent and a deeper bench then they’ve had in years, the Hawks expect to surprise some people this season.

“We’re definitely a better team this year,” Houston head coach Mike Styers said.

With the returning talent a key additions, Houston boasts 14 skaters and a goalie on the roster. The Hawks actually have more players active in the youth competitive leagues than they’ve had on their whole roster in recent seasons.

“We have 11 kids playing comp hockey, which is huge,” Styers said. “We usually only have three or four.”

Leading the Hawks into the 2011-12 season is senior defenseman Zach Lovelace. Styers said the defenseman, who stands out at both ends of the ice, will continue to be a top player, but there won’t be as much pressure on Lovelace as there has been in the past. With sometimes only three or four players on the bench, Lovelace has spent his high school career logging 40 to 45 minutes per game. With a larger roster this year, Styers is hopeful that number shrinks.

“We’re hoping for 30-35 minutes, keep him fresh,” Styers said.

Lovelace, who has been the only member of his Houston hockey class, as a freshman, sophomore and junior, now shares the senior class with newcomer Jake Wells.

Wells, who transferred from Chugiak after his family moved to the area, has made an instant impact within the program.

“Jake’s brought several things,” Styers said. “For one, he’s extremely fast. But he also has a great work ethic. He’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve coached.”

Styers also said Wells is a very smart player with a super hard shot.

Junior forwards Lane Styers, Cody Lipse and Johan Shuey also return to the Houston roster. All have seen ample playing time as underclassmen.

The sophomore class includes returners Jon Lovelace, Jaden Sears and Patrick Thistle.

Styers called Thistle arguably the most improved player on the team.

“Patrick has made huge strides,” Styers said. “He really came a long way in a year.”

Houston’s freshman class is led by goalie Aaron Allred.

“He’s been a solid goaltender and he’s really interested in getting better,” Styers said.

Styers said the Hawks are scheduled to play a handful of games against some of the state’s top small-schools programs in addition to the Mid-Alaska Conference schedule. He’s excited to see how Houston fares against all.

“We’re a in a tough conference — West Valley and Lathrop, I feel, will contend for a state championship — but we’re probably the third-best team in the conference,” Styers said of the MAC, which also includes North Pole and Juneau-Douglas. “After being on the bottom for so many years, it’s nice to have a team with numbers and talent. Hopefully we’ll surprise one of those teams.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.