News

The COVID-19 Pandemic took a lot of playing time away from our hockey players. Returning players were cut short from the 2019-2020 season and missed out entirely on the 2020-2021 season. During the height of the pandemic, athletes everywhere lost access to proper training, practices, and competitions. Hockey players had a unique disadvantage as ice rinks are less accessible. In response, the players had to find ways to stay in shape and maintain their hockey skills.

 

With this, two returning players and three new players were interviewed to let the fans know how it feels to be back on the ice for the 2021-2022 season. The returning players that were chosen for this interview are #5 Scot Nelson and #7 Zachary Slezak, and the new players are #3 Logan Breen, #17 Ivan Bronnikov, and #26 Dylan Hultberg. Here’s what the Bulls had to say about how they stayed active and prepped towards the 2021-2022 season:

 

"How did you stay active and/or practice during the last year without a season?"

• ▸Scot Nelson: “Played men's league twice a week back in Massachusetts with my older brother. Took the dog for some walks to get the legs moving.”
• ▸Zachary Slezak: “Play men's league to stay competitive in Wesley Chapel and Brandon. Worked out and practiced with some teammates and coworkers.”
• ▸Logan Breen: “I played some pick up hockey here and there and worked out at the gym... Ha  obviously.”
• ▸Ivan Bronnikov: “Not much, just gym and roller skates.”
• ▸Dylan Hultberg: “​​I had a season last year with my previous team (Florida Junior Blades - Premiere). There were a lot of covid restrictions, but we did get to play. We were in the gym and on the ice all year.”

 

After checking in with our players about the past, we decided to ask two more questions: one about the present and one about the future. Here’s what the Bulls had to say about the 2021-2022 season: 

 

“How does it feel to be back on the ice?”

• ▸Scot Nelson: “It feels good to get back on the ice in front of our fans, it's great to be back with all the boys that I'm excited to get to know the new players as the season goes on.”
• ▸Zachary Slezak: “It's exciting to be back in front of our fans, we've been looking forward to for the year. It's fun to get to know the new guys and build chemistry to make another national championship worthy team.”
• ▸Logan Breen: “It feels good, I haven't been on the ice in a real game since February 2020, so it feels great to be back out there.”
• ▸Ivan Bronnikov: “It feels amazing, like back to life.”
• ▸Dylan Hultberg: “Ya know, it feels f***ing great man. I'm hella excited to get going, ya know?”

 

“What are you looking forward to most this season?”

• ▸Scot Nelson: “Every single home game, it's great to be back at our rink with our fans that bring incredible energy, that is something I've missed over the past year.”
• ▸Zachary Slezak: “Building a brotherhood with the boys, we've already had some great trips. I'm looking forward to the future trips and some hardware at the end of the season. It's always exciting to play in front of a packed house.”
• ▸Logan Breen: “Being back in the locker room with the teammates and playing competitive hockey again.”
• ▸Ivan Bronnikov: “I'm looking forward to getting to know all of my new teammates and making some life long connections. And obviously, score some goals.”
• ▸Dylan Hultberg: “Oh man dude. I'm looking forward to a lot. Bus rides with the fellas, hanging 'em out, winning some games, and hopefully going all the way. I haven't gotten to go to Nationals yet.”

 

Our hockey players all had unique experiences under similar conditions. Some Bulls had access to ice time since the unexpected close of the 2020 season, while others did not. Despite the challenges that came with the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone found their own ways to stay in shape for this year’s season. It is clear that the players are super grateful to be back playing for USF and are looking forward to everything that comes with it, especially spending time with each other. Here’s to a season of hard work and great friendships.

 

Written by Annika Larson (Twitter and Instagram) and Jadyn McCarthy (Twitter and Instagram).