Veterans on defense, exciting freshman lead Colony into season

WASILLA — The Colony Knights graduated a deep senior class following the 2012-13 season, a group that included All-North Star Conference standouts Jonathon Boyer and Morgan McJimsey.

Between the two, Boyer and McJimsey accounted for about 70 of Colony’s points. But rather than scramble to replace the production of the graduated players, Colony head coach Jamie Smith said the 2013-14 edition of the Knights will sport a different look.

“We need to find guys to put the puck in the net. But the key for us is to play a tight-knit game,” Smith said. “We’re not going to blow anybody out. We’re more defensive minded.”

A strong back end will be central to Colony’s game plan this season. That effort will be led by senior goaltender Colton Beebe.

“We could have the best goalie in the league,” Smith said. “Between the goaltender and the defense, that’s the strength of our team right now.”

Among the leaders on defense are juniors Curtis Foster and Logan Sanders. Both are beginning their third season on the varsity level.

“Those are kind of our heart-and-soul guys, along with our goaltender,” Smith said of the junior blueliners.

The Knights also return junior defenseman Stephen Kempinski.

Colony’s senior class is small, but all are experienced varsity players. In addition to Beebe, the group includes Mark Thygesson, Colton Symbol, Anthony Kolendo, Sarah Diltz and Jake Elwell.

Smith said he expects big things out of Elwell and Kolendo in particular.

The Knights, who drop the puck against rival Wasilla tonight at 7 p.m. at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena, already have a pair of games under their belt. Colony opened with a 5-3 loss to East Anchorage on Tuesday.

Sanders, Thygesson and Jacob Link scored against the T-Birds.

West Valley slipped past Colony 1-0 on Wednesday.

Smith said his team’s play was much improved on Wednesday. Overall, he was pleased to get a pair of games in before starting North Star Conference play today.

“It was good for us to see who can handle what,” Smith said.

The Knights, who could feature nine or 10 underclassmen in the varsity lineup on any given night, are young. Smith said a handful of freshman will be getting regular ice time, and he sees a lot of talent in his freshman class.

That class includes forwards Josh Boyer, Otto Thiele and Braden Brunnhoelzl and defenseman Gunner Stadem.

“We have a lot of potential,” Smith said.

** This is the first of four stories previewing the seasons of the local prep hockey teams. See upcoming editions of the Frontiersman for features about the Palmer Moose, Wasilla Warriors and Houston Hawks.