Up-tempo Silverwolves hockey team begins a new season

Even though Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 winter Olympics, there's still a chance that you've never attended a hockey game. Silverwolves players would like you to change that.

“Hockey is such a great game, lots of action and fast paced and high energy” said Jennifer Robison, Riverton senior Talin Robison’s mother.

Ice hockey combines many skills into one up-tempo competition. Skating, shooting, puck handling and defense are just a few of the skills the players need to master.

Riverton has a mix of experience on its team. Many of the players got their start in the county’s learn to skate program while others just picked up the game.

Hockey is not a sanctioned sport by the Utah High School Athletic Association, but as a club sport, it still thrives in Utah. There are 24 teams in the northern part of Utah making ice time a premium. So the Riverton team is only able to practice once a week and plays approximately six games a month.

The team is coming off a fifth place finish in the 2010-11 season, with a 5-6-1 record. Early this season the team is struggling to gain experience but a mix of young players has them excited for the future.

The Silverwolves scored eight goals in a win over Copper Hills on Dec. 7, their highest total of the season. Joe Crawford and Parker Lewis lead the team in scoring with seven and six goals respectively.

The Silverwolves are scheduled to play Monday, Jan. 9 at the Salt Lake City Sports Complex (west arena) versus Juan Diego and again Wednesday, Jan. 25 at the County Ice Center in Murray versus the Alta Hawks. The rest of the team’s schedule can found at www.rivertonhockey.com.

“We would love more support from our friends, but our games are all over the place and not near the school. That makes it harder for them to come,” Captain Kenny Dailey said.

The Silverwolves call the Olympic Oval in Kearns their home ice. This is where a majority of their games are played. They do travel to several different ice sheets around the northern part of the state. In December they traveled to Vernal, to play a series in the Western Park’s Ice Arena.

The 2011 team consists of Goaltenders Kyla Allen and Ethan Dillingham. Forward skaters are Coleman Allen, Kolby Andersen, James Bernier, Brandon Crawford, Joe Crawford, Kenny Dailey, Michael Eisenberger, Martin Gualazzi, Nathan Harward, Tim Kerekes, Parker Lewis, Franklin Mickelson, Brandon Paxton, Talin Robison, Derek Rowe, Cooper Schroeder, Austin Sheehy, and Kaden Taylor

First year head coach Cameron Hope has his work cut out for him. His experience includes playing and coaching, including some minor league hockey with the Couer D'Alene Lakers. He played college hockey with Southern New Hampshire University.

.