PUCKS PREVIEW: Valley teams expected to battle for top spots in North Star Conference

WASILLA — The Colony Knights skated into the 2017-18 season as the three-time defending North Star Conference champions and took a step forward in the standings with a 6-3 win over 2017 region runner-up Wasilla in November.

But it’s a long season.

Both Colony and Wasilla, are once again, expected by most to be the favorites to own the top spots in the conference. But a young Palmer squad has also shown promise during the first month of the season. Colony, Wasilla and Palmer are all on the road this weekend, the first big stretch of the season in North Star Conference play. The Valley squads will tour the Peninsula, making stops in Kenai, Soldotna and Homer over the weekend.

Below is a look at the three Valley teams in the NSC.

Colony Knights

The Knights have their sights set on the North Star four-peat. The expectations are, “very high,” head coach Jamie Smith said early in the season.

“We have the potential to be much better than last year,” Smith said.

The Knights have the veterans, seniors in their fourth year of varsity hockey. But there are some key additions, Smith said.

“We have a lot of young players that compliment our older guys,” Smith said.

Among the leaders on the team are senior forwards Jake Hessinger, Foster Riekena and Cooper Smith. During the first month of the season, junior Mitchell Diltz has joined Riekena and Cooper Smith on a forward line, while Hessinger is skating with junior Tae’jean Evans and sophomore Dane Jellich on another.

Players such as Wyatt Vrana, Alexander Fike and Ethan Korynta have added forward depth.

Jamie Smith has also praised the work of senior defensemen Kolten Ketchum and Zach Monaco early in the season. Blake Reid, Brett Ewing and Tyler Koekritz are also playing key roles on the blue line.

Senior Cole Doss has emerged as Colony’s top goaltender. Doss has spent his time with the Knights as a career reserve, but has taken advantage of his opportunity to be the top option in net.

“It’s his turn, no question,” Smith said early in the year. “He developed. He’s always been a great athlete, great kid.”

Smith is also excited about his young goaltender, sophomore Roman Shephard.

Smith also noted a freshman, forward Kaden Ketchum, who has the potential to make an impact once he returns from an injury.

After winning its third straight region title last February, Colony placed third in the 4A state tournament, the highest finish in program history.

Wasilla Warriors

Wasilla has finished as the region runner-up in two of the last three seasons. In 2015, Wasilla finished third in state.

The Warriors will once again be in the mix for a return to the state tournament. Leading the way is its junior class, which includes forwards Alex Engan and Porter Schachle.

During the first month of the season, Engan and Schachle have combined for 11 goals and eight assists. Engan has seven goals and three assists, and Schachle has grabbed four goals and five assists.

“We have a big junior class, big sophomore class,” Wasilla head coach Trent Schachle said recently.

The Warriors only have three seniors on the roster — goalie Sean Carney, forward Hayden Masterson and defenseman Wyatt Moore. With the very small senior group, Schachle said he’s looking to the juniors, and even the sophomores, to step up and play big roles for the Warriors this season.

Schachle said the Warriors need players from those sophomore and junior groups to be consistent, and add to the offensive firepower of Engan and Porter Schachle.

Trent Schachle said he’s looking to Masterson to be one of those players, as well as juniors McKinley Larson and Dillon Matson. Schachle also noted the potential of sophomore forwards Langston Bouma, Dylan Harbour, Garrison Holler and Slayte Wohlers.

Schachle said the Warriors started the season shorthanded on the defensive side of the ice, and will work to build its group on the blueline.

Moore is the senior in that unit. Sophomores Lucas Gudz and freshman Brendan Woolcott have stepped up to skate big minutes for the Warriors, along with sophomore Devon Carney.

Schachle’s said it helps having a pair of experienced goaltenders, Carney and junior Aaron Campbell.

“It’s really good. They’re working hard,” Schachle said.

Palmer Moose

The Palmer Moose lost some key pieces following the 2016-17 season, but the coaching staff is excited about the potential among the current group.

“We did lose some key players for sure. But the thought is it always creates opportunities for new players,” Palmer assistant coach Steve MacSwain said recently.

MacSwain said he’s intrigued about what he’s seen.

“They’re wanting to play. They’ve got hunger in their eyes,” MacSwain said.

Among Palmer’s biggest losses was goalie Cody Grogran, who graduated last spring Sophomore TJ O’Rourke stepped in early in the season. Another sophomore, Cale Winder, is also there.

MacSwain noted senior captain Noah Keil as a leader on the squad. Keil is among a group of forwards that includes seniors Darian Wilson, RJ Avezak and David Scully.

Sophomores Ethan Welch and Easton Armstrong are among the defensemen on the squad.

MacSwain said he sees potential for some depth, and believes the Moose can hit the ice with three lines. The Moose are focused overall on team play, he said.

“As a unit, we’re going to have to play together,” MacSwain said. “We’re not going to be a team that has a mega superstar. As a team unit we’re going to have to be team strong.”

The schedule

Colony and Kenai are currently tied at 1-0 at the top of the NSC standings. Wasilla and Soldotna are both 0-1. Palmer and Homer open NSC play Thursday.

Colony meets Kenai Thursday at 7 p.m., Homer Friday at 7 p.m. and Soldotna Saturday at noon. Wasilla is at Homer Thursday at 7 p.m., faces Soldotna Friday at 5:45 p.m. and Kenai Saturday at noon. Palmer begins its weekend Thursday at 7 p.m. at Soldotna, skate against Kenai Friday at 7 p.m. and play in Homer Saturday at noon.

Valley teams skate in a pair of NSC games in mid-December. Colony hosts Palmer Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Menard Memorial Arena. Wasilla is at Palmer Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at the MTA Events Center in Palmer.

The NSC Championships is slated for Feb. 1-3 at the Soldotna Sports Center. The ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Hockey Championships are Feb. 8-10 at the Menard.

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