FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 26, 2014) -- Fort Benning's hockey team is back again this season with tryouts and practices going full force at the Columbus Civic Center. The next skate times are scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3.
Head coach Jerome Bechard said there were nearly 35 players in attendance for the first tryout in November, with about 10 to 12 returning players.
Despite having a disparity of skill level, he said, that night proved to be a good start.
"It looked pretty good for the first night," Bechard said. "There's definitely something to work with."
He said if players weren't able to make the skate nights in November, they can show up for future ice times. They are looking for anyone who can skate.
"With Fort Benning being a training facility, everyone is in and out," Bechard said. "You never know who (is going to be) here on any given weekend. We try not to cut anybody."
He said the experience also serves as an outlet for the Soldiers.
"The military, to me, is so intense as far as their daily jobs (go and) with what they do," he said. "This is a good release for them, they just love it."
When it comes to practices, Bechard said he wants everybody there.
"The more people we have here on a consistent basis ... the better it is ... you need somebody to go against in drills," he said.
Shooting drills with a breakout incorporated, puck handling and two-on-ones are simple drills that are focused on the most, Bechard said. This gives the defensemen an opportunity to work on their footwork.
A challenge this season, he said, is getting everyone to think alike because of the different skill levels.
"It's a lot better when everyone's thinking the same way and doing the same things," he said.
Bechard said the players tend to have a short attention span sometimes, so practices might begin with drills, but end up as scrimmages.
Another challenge is finding teams to play, because there aren't a lot of local hockey teams, Bechard said, so traveling is to be expected.
A team they have played in the past is the amateur Patriots hockey team from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
He said only 20 players will dress out for games.
When asked about purchasing gear, Bechard said it is more or less a requirement for the players to have their own.
"We have some stuff here that we can help donate or give them a really good deal, but we have really nice jerseys that they don't have to buy," he said.
Bechard said he looks forward to the season.
"Whether we win or lose, it doesn't really matter," he said. "It's just a matter of getting out there and I enjoy volunteering my time. ... These guys know hockey, but they don't really know the little finer things (and) I enjoy them soaking stuff up, wanting to learn and watching them have fun (because) that's what it's all about."
Bechard said he has already been separating the Armor and Infantry Soldiers on the team to prepare for a game against the two and wants it to be competitive.
The Armor and Infantry game will take place at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Civic Center, he said. The Columbus Cottonmouths hockey game will follow.
The Benning hockey team's season will officially begin in January.
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