Ice Hockey shows there’s more than meets the ice

This letter is in response to Kyle Cavaness’ column published in the Daily Forty-Niner on March 1 titled, “Hockey deserves more credit.”

He makes extremely valid points about the fantastic sport that is ice hockey, yet he fails to mention something that may encourage the audience to participate in the sport: this school actually has an ice hockey team.

Although our organization does not have enough coaching staff or ice time to offer beginner lessons, the local rinks offer packages for all ages and skill levels that include lessons and free-skate. Even if you choose not to participate as a player, attendance at games is a great way to get involved in the sport. Our home ice is less than six miles north of campus, well within your 10-mile search radius.

A 49er Ice Hockey game still offers many of the aspects Cavaness identifies make an NHL game so great.

Want big hits and rough physical play? Senior defenseman Ben Mitchell has crushed opponents through Plexiglas, hip-checked guys literally heels over head, and flattened players, leaving them wondering where they are.

Still need on-ice enforcers? Although fighting is an automatic one-game suspension in our league, it did not stop Alex Florio from pummeling a San Jose State Spartan.

Want lots of goals? This season a 49er game saw an average of nine goals per game.

Although the 49er Ice Hockey team is not at the NHL level, we are still a highly competitive organization. Of the 30 teams in the West Region of the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II, CSULB was ranked No. 10.

Cavaness, we invite and encourage you to attend our games next season and spread the gospel of hockey through more coverage and give the credit 49er Ice Hockey deserves.

- 49er Ice Hockey Team

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