Co-op teams are much different than the traditional high school team. On a co-op team, there are new players each season from all participating high schools along with rising freshmen. East Lyme is a part of the Eastern Connecticut Eagles ice hockey team, alongside other schools like Bacon Academy, Fitch, Killingly, and more. ELHS senior Wade Larson is an assistant captain on the Eagles, making himself available to help any new faces on the roster.
“Most of us played together almost our entire lives, but every year there’s always someone new to the team. I always try to make them feel welcomed because every year someone new is able to contribute to the team,” Larson said.
Last year, the Eagles finished with a record of 7-10-3. Although the team has had changes, Larson and head coach Eric Sager have kept the team’s skates on the ice and focused on the upcoming season.
“It helps to remind everyone that the harder we work, the easier [the] goals we set out for at the beginning of the season are to achieve. When everyone is working hard you can really feel the sense of urgency and drive to make the team better,” Coach Sager said.
