With last year’s record of 3-12-0, the Dupage Stars hockey team currently has a record of 7-5-0 and they are on a four-game win streak. New coach Brian Barnes seems to have this year’s team under control.
“There is always room for improvement and there will always be an area for all of the players and coaches to get better, especially in the game of hockey where there are thousands of intricate details in every game that make the difference between winning and losing,” Barnes said.
DGN senior Chase Flinker is now a captain on the hockey team and has been a part of the varsity team for two years.
After playing with the hockey team for his four years of high school, Flinker explained his thoughts as the program welcomed Barnes as the new varsity head coach.
“I could tell from the first few practices that Barnes was going to help everyone, not only in improving their own skills but also uniting us as a team through concepts and schemes for situations in games. Our previous coach was more about skill development, and most of the time our practices revolved around developing skills that are very important, but not applying them in game situations as effectively,” Flinker said.
The team’s first real season game was Sept. 21, 2023 at 8:30 p.m. The team versed the Oak Park River Forest Huskies and ended with a tough defeat with a score of 2-1. Hinsdale South junior Sam Rallo was the only player with a goal, and DGN senior Andrew Beth followed with the assist.
DGS senior Rj Lube is also a player and a captain on the varsity team.
“He [Barnes] came in with so much confidence for this team and believed in us. The players bought into what he had to say, and realized that in order to win, they should follow his coaching style. As of now, that has worked,” Lube said.
“The whole organization saw a few major improvements when Barnes took over as the hockey director and varsity coach. One of the key things he did that wasn’t present in past years is that he stayed in contact with all prospective players over the summer, pushing them to join our team over others. This was a big reason why some kids joined, and it proved his immense dedication to the club, even out of the regular season,” Flinker said.
Their third game of the season was against Maine South, and the Stars came out with a strong win with a score of 5-3. Lube scored two goals in that game. Hinsdale South junior Pellegrino Pescatorewith had one assist.
The president of the Dupage Stars hockey board Bill Flinker is affiliated with the appointment of the new varsity coach.
“I believe the program has not only gotten better; the team is starting to come together strategically and physically. The boys seem happier and more put together,” Bill Flinker said.
As the team moves forward in the season with a record of 7-5 for all games and a record of 5-4 for league play, their goal as a team is to beat their way through the regular season to make it to playoffs.
