The three coaches replaced Mike Bridges and
Ramiro Torrez, who started the program in 2017.
The second-year high school team may be on
the rise, but has yet to experience anything like
the success of the East Manatee Admirals,
an established championship-caliber squad.
Last season the Admirals won the Tier II state
championship in the Statewide Amateur Hockey
Of Florida, defeating Miami-Dade 6-1 in the title
game. That came after a 5-3 win over East Lake
for the Lightning High School Hockey League
crown.
“The Admirals are loaded with players who have
been on travel teams in Ellenton (Ice and Sports
Complex),” Crombie said of the Admirals, who
have now played in three state finals and won
the 2015 title as well. “They’re just a perennial
powerhouse. They’re deep with some good
players.”
Through 12 games the Admirals led the Eastern
Conference’s Modin Division with a 10-2 record.
West Manatee was third at 5-5-2 behind Durant’s
8-2-2 mark. West Manatee’s record is well ahead
of its debut season when it finished 5-16-1
overall, last in the Modin Division at 1-8.
“Our record should be a little better than that,
but travel hockey really takes away from high
school hockey,” said Karas, noting that some
players have missed games due to commitments
with their travel teams. This year’s turnaround
started after the team lost its first three games,
an ominous sign for yet another tough season.
Thankfully, however, that did not last.
“We’ve got good players,” Hlavac said. “It’s
always tough to deal with young kids, but they’re
more confident now with the puck. We tell them
(the puck) is your friend. You don’t have to get
rid of it.”
Apparently, the top line has taken that message
to heart. Through 12 games, Zachary Meinczinger
led the team with 12 points on nine goals and
three assists. Linemates Mate Imrie (seven goals,
11 points) and Zachary Fernandes (eight points)
were not far behind.
“They’re unbelievable, said Karos, adding that
Imrie “is a kid that just goes and goes. He never
gets tired. He’s the playmaker and the workhorse.
I’ve got some contacts in Minnesota and they’re
going to take a look at him.”
As solid as that first line is, however, defense
appears to be a strong suit with all three coaches
boasting about that unit. “We have the best
defense in the league, in my opinion, Karas said.
Highly touted Tyler Newton and Jake Hutchinson
are considered by the coaches as Division I
prospects while the defensive corps is rounded
out by solid contributions from Hayden Simon
and Cole Crombie, the coach’s son. With a top
scoring line and what their coaches consider one
of the best defensive units in the league a playoff
spot is not out of the question for West Manatee.
Nonetheless, there is quite a way to go in the
regular season, which extends to late January.
“We’re a good club,” Karas said. “We’ll see
where the season takes us. All I can do is give
them some advice on the ice and it’s all up to
them.” Added Hlavac,”It looks good. Most people
think the kids are getting better and that was out
goal.”
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