Wakefield has over 35 sports teams but seems to be missing one that a lot of students play–hockey. Students learn street hockey in gym class, but if they take an interest in the sport they have to play it outside of school. For many Wakefield hockey players, the lessons they learn on the ice make this commitment worth the effort.

Dylan Blue has gone to Canada to further his hockey career. He is now back and would love to see Wakefield support his sport.

“We should have a team,” Dylan Blue, Sophomore, said. “I think it is a fun sport and most people would like it.”

Students who play range from freshmen to seniors. Most of the players fell in love with hockey at a young age. Alec Stabile, junior, has been obsessed with hockey since day one.

“I played street hockey since I was five in my driveway,” Stabile said. “Kids in my neighborhood played and got me hooked.”

Most students play for a local program called the Carolina Eagles. There are many teams within the Eagles program and they travel to play teams all over the United States. Aiden DeSantis, junior, plays for the Eagles.

“I play for the Carolina Eagles,” DeSantis said. “We won a tournament as the lowest team in the league.”

The Eagles U16 AA team is going to Nationals within the next few weeks. The tournament will take place in Dallas, Texas. They will compete with teams from all over the United States to find out who is on top.

“We are making it to Nationals,” Stabile said. “That was the main goal this year. We are going to Dallas, Texas [for the tournament].”

Along with traveling and meeting new people, hockey has taught players life-long skills they can use throughout their lives. Andrew Robbins, junior, has learned multiple things from the sport.

“It has taught me how to be a leader and how to work with people,” Robbins said. “[Along with] how to be respectful and do your best.”

From starting the sport at a young age, most players want to continue through college or even go on to play professionally. The work they put in can take them to bigger and better places.

“I want to play in college, and I hope to play in the NHL,” Blue said. “If I work hard enough, I may be able to,”