Who:
Conor Klaers

Sport:
Hockey

When did you start playing hockey?

I started skating as soon as I could walk; some of my first memories have been on the pond.

Who’s been your biggest mentor in the game?

My dad played goalie in college and has been the SLP association goalie coach. He’s been helpful teaching me the game. It’s been really beneficial being in the same house as someone who knows the game so well.

What made you start playing goalie?

I tried it when I was younger, I could have made squirt C as a forward or squirt A as a goalie.

What are your goals for the future of the team?

My goal is to start leading the program in the right direction, so whether it’s this year, next year or the year after, SLP hockey will be a better program.

How are you working to improve before the season ends?

The second half of this season we are focusing on the little things such as fundamentals, discipline and showing up to play. This includes the effort we put into either a game or practice and making sure we do the small things right.

Has the free student admission affected your playing?

A lot more people are willing to go. It takes away one of the big reasons for people to not attend games. It’s always fun to play with a big home crowd because we play with more energy. We’ve gotten good support from fans, and it’s a great atmosphere.

Do you have any hockey goals for after high school?

I want to play junior hockey and hopefully Division 1 after that. I want to make it as far in hockey as I can, hopefully make a living from it.

What’s special about this year’s team?

The team is a lot more tight knit; the chemistry is better than in the past. We have a lot of talented players, so it’s fun to watch.