Terry Keseley replaced Shjon Podein as head coach of the Park boys’ varsity hockey and gives players a chance to start the season with a new outlook.

Last season, varsity was 4-20 according to mnhockeyhub.com.

With its new coach the team members hope their outcome will be more successful with Keseley’s 25 years of coaching experience.

Seniors Noah Fortmeyer and Curtis Greenbush are this year’s captains, and both have been previously coached by Keseley.

Fortmeyer said he is looking forward to additional freshman players on the ice.

“This year we have more talented players,” Fortmeyer said. “We can really make this season successful.”

Podein’s coaching style focused on in-game situations more than anything during his practices, spending a majority of the practice time on plays.

Keseley said he thinks his team should focus on more foundational skills instead of intricate details.

“I like to focus on skill development while creating a good environment,” Keseley said. “It’s so important to empower kids to think on the ice and make their own decisions.”

Keseley said he thinks hockey is an active thinking sport, different from other sports.

“It’s not like football, there aren’t set plays. You need to navigate your own decisions on the ice. That’s why it’s important to learn to think on your feet,”

Keseley said he is not focused solely on winning this year either, and based on last year’s record he thinks the biggest goal should be their development off the ice.

“My overall goal this season is to develop good young men that really enjoy their season,” Keseley said. “That’s more important than any winning season.”

“It’s really important for the boys to see fans out there,” Keseley said. “If our team has support from their family, friends and community, the score won’t matter.”

Boys varsity’s first game is 7 p.m. Nov. 26 against Minneapolis Boys’ Hockey at Parade  Ice Garden.