Adapted floor hockey team opens season Monday

The New Prague Trojan adapted floor hockey team begins its season Monday, Jan. 9, with a game against South Suburban at Bloomington Jefferson High School.

The team, which includes students from New Prague, Tri-City United, Le Sueur-Henderson, Belle Plaine and Jordan, has 26 athletes this year and for the third year the squad will have a junior varsity team.

Shellie Kriha returns as head coach, with assistants Jeremy Kalal and Steve Kriha. Also helping are support staff Diane Johnson and Connie Jensen and team managers Alex Palma, Reilly Carey and Colin Havlicek.

“We are really going to benefit with a JV team that will help build our program for the future. We have seven new players this year ranging from 7 through 12th grade. We hope to quickly get new players in positions and ready to play at a high level,” Kriha said. “We hope to finish as always in the top of our conference and advance to the State Tournament after winning a home playoff game.”

Key returnees to this year’s team include an experienced goaltender in Noah Hayden.

“Noah did a great job in the nets last year and with his experience we see him as being a great leader for us this year.”

Also returning are senior Charlie Zeilinger and junior Alexis Parks at forward. Freshman Seth Dorner will miss the season due to an injury. Junior Jake Schurman will lead the defensive corps.

“Jake has stepped up and really shown great leadership so far again this year,” Kriha said.

Also solidifying the offensive core will be senior Brookelyn Skluzacek.

“Brookelyn brings lots of experience and hard work to the team as does junior Eva Johnson,” Kriha said.

Other athletes who will play important roles in the success of the team include...

To see more on this story pick up the January 5, 2017 print edition of The new Prague Times or the Montgomery Messenger.