The hockey season has begun for the Chelsea High School varsity hockey team. They faced a tough start due to multiple injured players andthe same number of lost games in January as at the end of last season. While the injuries have made winning games harder, they have also given other players more time on the ice — and a chance to step up.
“[The beginning of the season] was pretty rough. We had a lot of people quit on us,” Nicolas Peal (‘26) said.
After such a difficult start, the team had to quickly adjust and stay focused on the rest of the season. Losing players, whether from injuries or quitting, can make it harder to concentrate on winning games and being consistent. A smaller group has limited the team’s options during games. They had to adjust to a new lineup and work their best with their remaining players.
“I feel like most of the injured players are some of our best. So that's also kind of brought us down, but we just need to work and find different ways to adapt,” Peal said.
The absence of some players has impacted the defense and scoring chances. As a result, the team has had to rely more on group effort and adjust strategies to stay strong without the totality of their teammates.
“I'm playing a lot more. They moved me to defense.There's like three defensive players that were hurt,” Peal said.
Injuries on defense have forced some big changes to the lineup. With multiple injured players, some of them have been moved from their usual positions to help fill gaps. These changes have led to increased ice time and added responsibility, especially for athletes adjusting to their new roles during games.
“The beginning of the season was definitely a little disappointing. We started off a little slow, but then we picked up a few wins, and just tried to make the best of it with the injuries we have,” Jacob Corcoran (‘26) said.
Although the team has remained competitive through most of its games, finishing strong has been difficult .Working on winning games while dealing with injuries has shown progress and allowed the team to build confidence with players adjusting to their new roles. Even with the challenges, the team has continued to move forward.
“It does add stress out there because when your best players are injured, more weight falls on you being a senior,” Corcoran said.
For upperclassmen, these injuries might feel like another layer of responsibility. Seniors might have been relied on more during games or expected to lead, and the mindset of the team might has changed, making them more determined to win.
“We're having a rough time winning games. We stick in the game, but we end up getting beat in the third period. So if we just clean up the third we'll be able to get back on track,” Peal said.
