Canfield hockey team leans on senior leadership

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Photos by Robert Senn Photography.The Canfield varsity ice hockey team began the season with games over the Thanksgiving weekend.

The Canfield Cardinals high school hockey team is coming off a 9-19-1 season and will be led by a group of five seniors.

The Cards will rely heavily on senior goaltender Roger Geiser, who just set the all-time saves record in the state of Ohio. Offensively, the big task will be to replace two of the Cardinals all-time leading scorers, Riley Emery and Joe Geiser, who both graduated.

Fifth-year head coach Randy Emery has confidence that his team will make up for the graduates.

“I think that we may be short on scoring touch this season, but on the other hand, we have a strong desire to compete, especially our seniors led by the grit of our captain Ryan Ohara,” he said.

This will be Ohara’s fourth year on the varsity squad. Last season, he contributed five goals and 13 assists.

Alternate captain Sean Meditz will play a big role for Canfield, as he brings his 6-3 frame and four years of varsity experience. He is also a product of the Canfield developmental team, starting with the Cards back in the sixth grade.

“Sean epitomizes the Canfield student/athlete experience. He is certainly a great student, musician, hockey player, and leader, and takes pride in our school. The younger kids can learn a great deal from Sean, and I hope they pay attention,” said Emery.

The Cards will also count on senior alternate captain and defenseman Scott Schilling, who also brings a big 6-2 body and toughness to the blue line.

Senior defenseman Adam Scheetz has proven he can play a big role on the back end for the Cards, as he brings a desire and willingness to compete every shift.

Juniors Josh Tancer and Pat Bassett will be counted on to contribute this season. Tancer, who is moving to the forward position, played a strong preseason game against Aurora. Bassett has offensive skill to put the puck in the net. Sophomore forward Nick Cresimanno scored a goal and four assists as a freshman, had a big game in preseason against Aurora by scoring twice and showing the ability to burst with speed.

Hard hitting sophomore Tim Fernstrom returns to the blue line for Canfield, and will have to step up to replace another graduate, Nick Carney, who played a big defensive role for the Cards the last four seasons.

First year sophomores TJ Sakkas (forward), Brittany Bettile (defense), and Megan Cole (goalie), all hope to contribute to the Cards success this season.

The Cards bring five freshman to the varsity this year, including Braden Falkingham, PJ Denney, JP Clendenin. Dan Drotleff, and Mitchel Blasko.

“We have a lot of young players (eight first year varsity) who are going to have to play. It’s on-the-job-training for these young athletes. The effort must be there from top to bottom, seniors through freshman, and coaching staff, too. There are no rose-colored glasses looking ahead to this season. We will have to earn every inch of ice,” explained Emery.

The Cardinals belong to the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League and are part of the Blue East Division, with Aurora Chagrin Falls, Cleveland Heights, Nordonia, North Canton Hoover and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy.

The Canfield varsity head coach is Randy Emery (fifth season), assisted by Paul Barnes (third) and former head coach Joe Villano (12th).

The Cardinals hockey organization also includes a developmental team for players in grades five through nine, coached by Gerry Emery. The Canfield hockey teams are self-supported through funds raised by the Canfield Hockey Boosters. Barry Tancer is the booster club president.