Team currently has 5-6 record

Although ice hockey is not a school-sponsored sport, it is one the most popular sports at Parkway South High.

The Patriots currently have a 5-6 record, and their next game is on Dec. 21 when they will face off against the O’Fallon Panthers.

One of the most competitive teams that stands against South and the Wickenhauser trophy is Marquette. South has many players to help support the team.

Peyton Stevenson and Vincent Rebello are the two senior goalies of the Parkway South team. Stevenson has a .836 save percentage, while Rebello sports a .866 save percentage. 

“With 27 players on the team, the team is very committed and supportive,” said Coach Jim Taylor.

Because ice hockey is a non-school sponsored sport, the team and the coach face issues including expenses, according to Taylor.

“The main challenge for us as a sport that isn’t school sponsored is probably a financial one. Ice time is expensive and uniforms and equipment needs can be as well. That means we have to charge a fee to players in order to participate. It can be tough for players and coaches to commit to very much time for a lot of fundraising activities,” Taylor said.

When the players play there are many factors impacting their game, one of the main factors is the behavior of the audience. Sophomore Jason Gifford said the behavior of their audience has a huge impact on their engagement and enthusiasm while playing.

“When they’re loud it’s fun when they’re not loud it’s not as fun. It’s kinda mellow when they’re not there but when they’re there it’s fun and it’s just exciting. We kind of build off the hype I guess. You have more of an incentive to try harder and do the best that you can do for the fans,” Gifford said.

Memories are very precious and stay with us all the time. For the ice hockey players, this is the space where their best memories are created.

Offensively this season, senior Henry Kasten leads the team in goals with 9. Second on the team is senior Max Boyer who has 6 goals. Last year, Kasten led the Patriots as well, with 23 goals on the season.

“My best memory would probably be when I scored 60 points in a season, that was pretty cool,” said Aidan Karfs, junior.