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 (Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: BIG BEN: Hun School goalie Ben Wirjosemito prepares to make a save in action last winter. Wirjosemito's continued improvement will be a major factor as the Raiders look to build on the success of last winter when they went 12-5-1 and won the Mercer County Tournament. Hun gets its 2004-05 campaign underway when it hosts LaSalle on December 8 and then plays at seven-time Prep B champion Princeton Day School on December 10.end of caption |
Hun Boys' Hockey Primed for Encore But Knows It Will Be Under Pressure
By Bill Alden
Last winter, the Hun School boys' ice hockey team snuck up on a lot of its foes.
Coming off a three-win season, the Raiders staged a spirited revival in 2003-04 as they went 12-5-1 and won the Mercer County Tournament (MCT) in the process.
With Hun starting the 2004-05 season with two games this week, Raider head coach Francois Bourbeau knows his team faces a tough task in matching last year's achievements.
"Everyone is aiming at us, it's going to be much tougher for us," said Bourbeau, whose team hosts LaSalle on December 8 before playing at seven-time Prep B champion Princeton Day School on December 10.
"We can still be successful; we just need to work harder. We have more pressure than last year because no one knew us then. I think the kids are working toward the same goal."
The continued improvement of junior Ben Wirjosemito at goalie will be a pivotal factor in Hun's drive to approach the success of last winter.
"I've been pretty happy with him," said Bourbeau of his star netminder. "When he's on a hot streak, he is really tough. He has changed his style a little bit, he's going more butterfly now. He's been working hard, Ben always gives me everything he's got."
A question mark for Hun will be the play of its defensive corps in front of Wirjosemito. "We need to develop our defense," acknowledged Bourbeau, who is looking for seniors Colin Ryan and Andrew Starr to provide some leadership along the blue line. "A main key will be for us to get our defensive unit playing well."
Bourbeau will also using senior Jonathan Begg and sophomores Andrew Godfrey and Tray Geier on defense.
Up front, Hun should have plenty of punch. "Matt Torstrup and Drew Mervin are looking good," said Bourbeau, referring to his two star seniors. "Our forechecking should be a strength. I think our offense will be good."
Others who will see ice time on offense for Hun seniors Jeff Fisher and Justin Schleifer, junior Brendan Ryan, sophomores Jon Del Rossi, Joseph Deane, A.J. Blackburn, and Mike Williams together with freshmen Peter Plumeri and Robert Hackett.
Bourbeau won't have to wait long to get a sense of how his team will bear up under the increased pressure it will face this winter.
"Our first two games are huge challenges," declared Bourbeau, who is in his third year coaching the Raiders.
"If we come out ahead, it will be a really good sign. These games are going to tell me a lot. I will see how much they want it and how good we can be."
In Bourbeau's view, last winter's experience has his players believing in their ability to succeed once again.
"I think they are more confident,"
asserted Bourbeau. "They know me and they know each other.
The chemistry is already good and that's big plus."
