While many high school athletes aim to just make freshman, and maybe even JV level teams their first year playing, OHS student Colin Fregin(9) has always set his goals high, and recently he has achieved one of his most desired goals — to make the varsity hockey team.
“I thought it was really cool, but I obviously knew I was gonna have to work to actually play,” Fregin said.
Fregin is very familiar with club hockey, as he’s been playing ever since he was three years of age, but high school hockey has many different competition and expectations that he is not yet used to.
“High school is definitely harder because your opponents can be older, bigger and stronger, and sometimes better, but obviously all the kids on my club team are my age,” Fregin said.
Being one of the youngest on the team, it’s not just the competitiveness and responsibilities he has to be worried about.
“Being a freshman on varsity isn’t too bad with the upperclassmen — just me and other freshmen having to take pucks home or take water bottles home, just light freshman hazing,” Fregin said.
Being on the smaller side, he also says varsity is a totally different game.
“It’s definitely scary having a lot of people trying to hit you more, because they see you as an easier target,” Fregin said.
Even though Fregin has many challenges coming up this season, he does have team support to help him improve.
“I can look up to my teammates, and see if that’s what I want to be my junior year, that skill level you know, and the coaches obviously encourage you and push you to your full potential,” Fregin said.
Going into the season, Fregin, like any other sports player, has some goals that he desires to achieve this hockey season.
“At least score a goal,” Fregin said, “and get better.”
