The first snow each year signifies many things, for freshman Wesley Smith that includes the start of the highly anticipated hockey season. Smith said that although there are risks this season due to COVID-19, he believes it is still possible to play.

“I believe if we can do our season safely we should, but we need to be very cautious of what we’re doing,” Smith said.

According to Smith, the fall hockey league felt very safe as the coaches were very strict when it came to COVID-19 guidelines. He believes that all sports and outdoor hobbies are a much needed mental break for new students like him.

“As a freshman, this is all so new to me. I’m in a new school with a system that’s unknown by all of us including teachers,” Smith said. “hockey is just a nice break from that as it’s still a very normal experience.”

Freshman and teammate Sam Fuller said the hockey community seems to appreciate the process taken with fall sports but understands that if it’s not safe, they must shut it down accordingly.

“Wesley and my experience I feel like both are very similar. We find a lot of joy in hockey and it gets our mind off of the stress of school,” Fuller said.

Smith said that hockey is a team sport where contact is uncontrollable, and if unplayable under these circumstances he understands.

“I really am going to miss the experience of hockey this year if we get shut down. It sucks, but we have to do what we have to do. I trust the school knows more than I do,” Smith said.

According to Smith, this was his year to prove that he will be a good fit in the program for years to come. He said this could negatively affect a lot of players’ ability to improve and go to the next level.

“It’s unfortunate that kids are missing seasons causing them to not move up; I wish there was a way we could change that, but what we have to live with is uncontrollable,” Smith said.