After 23 Years, Varsity Hockey Returns To Highland Park
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- At St. Paul Highland Park, they found that was missing. Varsity hockey.
It had gone on hiatus, with players allowed to play at other schools. Now it's back and they will take some lumps, make no mistake, but it is their spirit that makes them this week's Rally Star.
It looks like high school hockey, and it is. But it's different because for Highland Park High School, it's been a while.
"Just to take pride in having a team for the first time since 1987," said head coach Tom Doyle.
Yes, varsity hockey is back for the first time in 23 years.
"It feels pretty good because we don't have to transfer and go to Como or Johnson to play hockey. We can play it at our school, at our own rink. And it feels good to be the start-up group," said captain Laran Landy.
They're not looking for wins. They realize that's not really the goal. They are looking to establish a feeling.
"I just want to play hockey," said captain Tommy Paulson. "It feels good being the first team and captain of Highland Park."
That's what is happening -- a team filled with people that just want to participate.
"It's about improvement and it's about them understanding that each time we step on the ice, work on what you can work on and get better every day, whether it's practice or games," said Doyle.
They're on the ice, where they want to be, doing what they want to do.
"Just keep your head up, look for plays, opportunities, just try and score and come back," said Landy.
WCCO-TV's Mike Max Reports
