The United States Premier Hockey League’s new Daytona Racers have every intention of changing that perception, and if the start of this season is any indication, the team is off to a flying start.
After losing the first game of the season to the Palm Beach Hawks, the Racers have ripped off five straight wins after Saturday night’s 9-3 win over Tampa. Three of those wins came against defending division champion Florida Jr. Blades. I believe that was the first time the Jr. Blades had ever been swept. A grand entrance by any stretch of imagination.
Many are comparing this team to last year’s league champion New York Aviators. Mike Stanaway’s team was loaded with players with prior junior experience. Thirteen Daytona players have moved from other junior teams.
Needless to say I had to see things for myself.
Head Coach Eric Swanick has transitioned from professional player to junior coach very well. He certainly looks the part. The New Jersey product’s professional playing career never really took off. The experience did arm the 24 year-old coach with plenty of ammunition to pass on to young prospects making their way up the latter.
Swanick is committed to giving his players the tools needed to become better hockey players. Players have the opportunity to enhance their game within the program’s private fitness center, rigorous on-ice schedule, along with plenty of opportunities to skate on a sheet of ice that is operated by the team.
Arena and team partner Ryan Kravetz is a hockey guy. Nobody is going to confuse the Racers home for the Taj Mahal. Years of neglect, before the Racers’ group took over, has taken its toll. With that said, the team is making sure the players are able to maximize their opportunity while the building continues upgrade and renovations.
Daytona is a fantastic market for a junior team at this level. The key to the success of the building, and team, is the ability to reach nontraditional hockey fans. This is where the investment of the team pays off for a building.
It’s my opinion that developing a hockey player includes an effort to nurture the maturation process. Community service projects are fine, but the real work takes place away for the teammates.
Individual players can serve as weekly volunteers at schools, after school programs, hospitals, and even assisted living facilities. Each player’s personal investment of time, and heart, will be returned in the form of butts in the seats and even fans for life. The long-term benefit is an overall enhancement of his character.
Why Daytona Beach?
Aside from the obvious weather advantages, yes the beach is really nice; the team enjoys an easier travel schedule. It’s also the ability to come down to Florida to escape what could be a hockey grind. There has be something positive about an easier lifestyle and doing whatever it takes to make that jump to college or the next level of junior.
Kravetz and Swanick are both committed to that process and completely understand that the more players they can move up to higher levels of play the easier it is to backfill the roster.
That’s refreshing to hear.
Isn’t that what junior hockey is supposed to be about anyway?
The Daytona Racers get it. It’s also going to be exciting to watch this program develop.
Like old Arnold says, I’ll be back to Daytona.
The road show continues this week. I’ll be in Chicago to watch the USPHL Cougars take on the Chinese National Team on Thursday, Wisconsin Dells to see the Marquette Royales face offagainst the Ducks on Friday, and back to Chicago’s Sears Centre on Saturday to see the Cougars skate against the Decatur Blaze.