With a large defense, years of team chemistry and a strong goalie, this year’s boys hockey team has managed to become fifth in the state with a record of 12-4-1. Coach Jason Kalin has been coaching the team for 21 years and has seen how the team has changed.

“Goaltending is probably one of our biggest improvements this past year,” Kalin said.

The teams goaltender for the last four years has been senior Caden Welch. He started skating when he was three years old and tried out for youth teams at eight. Most of his friends wanted to be the goaltender for its gear.

“I just wanted to try this position because it stands out and it’s different,” Welch said.

Welch tried out for goaltender and has been playing the position ever since.

During his freshman year, the team went to state for the first time since 2005. This was Welch’s first state championship win.

Welch said that some games seemed better on paper, but any team can win on any given night. The best way to deal with a hard game for him is to go into the game thinking they’re going to win, and have that positive mindset the entire time.

To prepare before a game, Welch has his own ritual. He arrives two hours early, tapes his stick, stretches out and listens to music. He also juggles tennis balls to to improve his hand-eye coordination. Welch also uses off-ice workouts and goes to camps over the summer to stay in shape.