According to freshman Jack Wandmacher, a forward on the hockey team, the upperclassmen on the team have been helping his development as a player.

“Being one of the youngest on the team is just surreal because I’ve always played with kids my age and it’s really cool to learn new things from the older kids and advance my knowledge of the game,” Wandmacher said.

Wandmacher said there is a significant difference between youth hockey and high school hockey.

“High school is much faster and more physical than Bantams,” Wandmacher said. “Also, the goalies are better and it’s harder to score.”

According to senior Jonny Sorenson, Wandmacher has improved as a teammate as the year has gone on.

“Jack has transitioned very well not only to the team, but to our relationships within it,” Sorenson said.

Sorenson said despite his age, Wandmacher has had no problem adjusting to the higher level of play.

“He has already gotten used to the speed of the game and how the game is played differently, which has really impressed a lot of the older guys,” Sorenson said.
Wandmacher said the Park coaching staff helped him decide to play high school hockey this season.

“The coaches impacted the decision by taking me aside during their free time to talk to me about the jump up to high school and how I️ should work very hard in the summer to get my game better and get me ready for high school hockey,” Wandmacher said.

According to Wandmacher, leaving youth hockey a year early to compete at the varsity level was the right choice for him.

“I’m very satisfied with my decision to make the early jump to varsity hockey,” Wandmacher said. “The coaches have been great, and so have all of the older players.”

Sorenson said he believes it is a good idea for young players to make the jump to varsity hockey if they can handle it because of how it will help the program in the long run.

“I think it was the right choice for him to play high school this year, because we have such a big senior class that we need more kids that will return to the team next year so we don’t need to have a rebuilding couple of years,” Sorenson said.

According to Sorenson, the work ethic of underclassmen on the team has impressed him this year.

“Younger players have benefitted the team by showing up every day and working hard to earn solid playing time, which has driven older guys to work hard as well,” Sorenson said, “Also, the younger guys have done very well on the ice in games to help us obtain impressive wins.”

Wandmacher said hockey has been a part of his life for a long time.

“I’ve been playing hockey for as long as I️ can remember, and always have just loved it,” Wandmacher said.

According to Wandmacher, he can help the team in many ways on the ice

“I feel like my strengths are both my hockey IQ, as well as my physical presence,” Wandmacher said.

Despite Park’s tough Section opponents, Wandmacher said he is optimistic of their chance to make it to State.

“I am looking forward to Sections this year, because I am very confident we can make it past the Section and to the State tournament,” Wandmacher said.

Wandmacher said his hockey goals extend beyond high school as well.

“One of my hopes and dreams is to play hockey after high school, and eventually even get paid to play,” Wandmacher said.