Prep hockey: Moose look to continue to move forward

PALMER — Just a few seasons ago, the Palmer Moose were firmly rooted at the bottom of the North Star Conference.

But then things started to happen.

Two seasons ago Dino Pagano, a former college hockey player, was hired to lead the Moose hockey program. Pagano added a former Palmer coach and player, Norm Rousey, to his staff. At about that same time, the city of Palmer opened the Palmer Ice Arena, giving the Moose legitimate home ice for the first time in the program’s history.

And even better, the Moose started seeing athletes come into the program with significant playing experience, something that had been fairly rare in the past.

The result was the most success Palmer had enjoyed in years. The Moose were no longer a guarantee to stay on the bottom of the conference.

Pagano left after his second season with his team — he and his family returned to the Lower 48 — but new head coach Brad Hanson is confident he and his staff can pick up where Pagano and Rousey left off.

“There was a pretty dramatic improvement over the last couple of years,” said Hanson, who is also the longtime offensive coordinator for the Palmer varsity football team. “We’re looking to try to maintain that momentum.”

Hanson said he currently has about 20 athletes on the roster. That group, he said, includes a mix of young talent and experienced veterans.

“We’re relatively thin, but we’ve got some good players,” Hanson said.

Among the leaders are juniors Michael Hanson and Zack Richards, who will anchor Palmer’s top line. During their first two seasons with PHS, both Richards and Hanson showed not only their ability to put the puck in the net, but also the ability to pile up the assists.

Others who could be factors on the offensive end of the ice are sophomore Tyler Isaacs and Michael’s younger brother Jared, a freshman.

Leading Palmer on the blueline is senior Jeremy Wright. Hanson said he believes his crew of defenseman could be a strength of the Moose this season.

Joining Wright on the back line are Dylan Danielowski, Andrew Fergeson and freshman Nick Reeves.

Palmer lost a handful of seniors to graduation, but arguably the biggest hole is left by the departure of Jim Isaacs, Palmer’s standout in net for the past three years.

Hanson said he has a pair of goalies — Sam McQuillin and Jonas Naegele — who will split time in net.

The 2007-08 edition of the Moose makes their debut this weekend with a pair of games. Palmer meets Houston Friday at 4 p.m. at the Curtis C. Menard II Memorial Ice Arena in Wasilla, and Tok Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Palmer Ice Arena.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.