Canfield hockey team relies on experience

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Neighbors | Submitted .Canfield Varsity hockey seniors prepared for Saturday's pre-season scrimmage against Aurora. The team will start the season with the 10th annual Thanksgiving Tournament Friday and Saturday at the Ice Zone. Team members photographed include, from left, (front) Kyle Bassett, Chris Vouvalis, Tyler English; (back) Bryan Clark (alternate-captain), Riley Emery (captain), Joe Geiser (alternate-captain) and Nick Carney (captain).

The Canfield Cardinals varsity hockey team has some high expectations heading into the 2010-11 season.

The Cards have experience on their side with seven seniors, four of which have played for seven plus years. The team also boasts strong goal tending with plenty of experience between the pipes.

Translating that experience into victories is what fourth-year head coach Randy Emery is attempting to accomplish.

“These players have been around the rinks, know how competitive our league is and know what takes to prepare for success,” said Emery. “It should be a good season for us. We have taken our lumps in years past and knowing these kids the way I do, they will work their tails off to come out on top.”

The four senior captains, Riley Emery, Nick Carney, Joe Geiser and Bryan Clark have raised the bar when it comes to playing Canfield hockey.

Emery has 75 career goals along with 41 assists to put him second all-time in Cardinals history — 16 points behind Zach Kovacs (2003-2006).

Carney, a mainstay defensively, made the transition to forward at the end of last season and is a force to be reckoned with.

Geiser has moved back to the blue line and adds a “Bobby Orr” style of play, scoring 43 goals over two seasons and bringing plenty of speed from the back end.

Clark also has great speed and tenacity on the force check and brings great leadership to the team.

Senior forward Kyle Bassett earned playing time last year with intense play and fierce checking. Tyler English, senior forward, packs plenty of energy on his shifts and senior Chris Vouvalis has stepped out from the back-up goal tending role, working hard on earning his way to ice time.

Junior goaltender Roger Geiser holds the record for most saves in Canfield hockey history and is chasing the OHSAA record books needing 613 saves to become Ohio’s all-time leader.

Geiser has kept the Cards in many games over the last two seasons with timely and acrobatic saves.

Junior forward Ryan O’Hara returns for his third year along with junior defenseman Shaun Meditz.

Scott Schilling and Adam Scheetz are steady on the blue line, while Steven Ferko returns to the ice after a season off with an injury.

Sophomore defenseman Josh Tancer gained some experience last season and looks to compete for playing time this year. Patrick Bassett is in his first varsity season coming from the Canfield developmental team.

Canfield plays in the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League Blue South along with Bay Village, Midview, NDCL, CVCA, Garfield Heights and Cleveland Heights.

The Cards hope their experience will pay off this season as they take the ice Thanksgiving weekend beginning Friday against Avon High School at 9 a.m. at the Ice Zone in Boardman.

For information, visit www.eteamz.com/canfieldhockey.