Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get into high school hockey, especially with the Hopkinton High team, and I finally took the plunge. Here’s how it all went down.
First off, I started by digging up some info about the team. I found out that the Hopkinton Hillers hockey program kicked off way back in 1996. Apparently, it took a bunch of dedicated families pushing for it before the high school finally said, “Alright, let’s do this!”
Getting the Basics
I went onto some sports website and managed to pull up the team’s schedule for the upcoming season, it is simple and useful. I marked down the key dates so I wouldn’t miss any tryouts or important meetings. I also noticed the address, 90 Hayden Rowe St, Hopkinton, which I figured would be my second home if I made the team.
Tryouts
Then came the nerve-wracking part: tryouts. I remember showing up to the Pirelli Arena, all geared up and ready to give it my all. The competition was tough, I gotta say. Everyone was skating hard, shooting, and trying to show off their best skills. I pushed myself to skate faster, pass more accurately, and shoot with everything I had.
Making the Cut
After what felt like the longest wait ever, the roster was posted. I scanned the list, heart pounding, and there it was—my name! The feeling was incredible. All that hard work, early morning practices, and drills had paid off. I was officially a Hopkinton Hiller!
First Practices and Games
The first few practices were intense. The coaches, were all about discipline and teamwork. We did a ton of drills, working on our skating, passing, and shooting. It was tough, but I could feel myself getting better with each practice.
Then came our first game. I remember the excitement and the nerves as we stepped onto the ice. We played Medfield and, unfortunately, lost 5-2. It was a tough loss, but it only made us more determined to improve.
Team Bonding
- One of the best parts of being on the team is the bond we’ve formed.
- We hang out a lot off the ice, grabbing food after practice, playing video games, or just chilling.
- These guys have become some of my closest friends.
A Memorable Win
One game that really sticks out is when we played Norwood. It was a nail-biter, tied 3-3 with just over a minute left. Then, Pavit Mehra scored the go-ahead goal, and we ended up winning 5-3. The feeling after that game was electric. We all went crazy, celebrating the win. It was one of those moments that made all the hard work worth it.
Looking Ahead
We’ve had our ups and downs this season, but we’re always working hard to get better. The goal is to make it to the state championship, especially after the team made it to the final last year. I know it won’t be easy, but we’re ready to give it our all. Being part of the Hopkinton High hockey team has been an amazing experience so far, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds. Go Hillers!
It has been a wild ride, but joining the Hopkinton High hockey team is one of the best decisions I’ve made. Can’t wait to see where we go from here!
