With a well-versed new coach and young talent, followed by a rise in popularity of hockey in Chicago, the LT varsity hockey team is poised to shine in the limelight. The team’s momentum shifted to high gear after a high-penalty and hard-fought 3-2 win in overtime versus Hinsdale Central on Jan. 24th. The team has gone unbeaten in regulation in the last five games heading into the post-season.

“This year our senior leadership and good goaltending have given us an advantage over other teams,” varsity coach Sean Nicholson said. “We currently have one of the top goalies in the league,’ Brian Roberts ’17. “Along with a bunch of young talent.”

Nicholson said that if any team wants to be successful they must have good relationships and experience playing with one another . The teams’ young talent includes Alex Conger ’18, Joey Ales ’18, and John Sommerfeld ’18. During practice Nicholson follows the D.A.D coaching method, which stands for Discipline, Attitude and Desire.

“Our team chemistry must be one of the best in the league,” varsity defensemen Lucas Isaacson ’17 said. “The team spends a lot of time together because of our weekly practice, weekend games and out-of-state tournaments.”

This is Nicholson’s first year coaching LT club hockey. In the years prior to 2015 he was the coach for rival school Hinsdale Central. However, he said that making the decision to switch over to LT was a “no-brainer”, because he was an LT alumnus.

“Coach Nicholson has done a good job preparing the younger players to perform well next year without us seniors,” varsity forward Jack Schwartz ’16 said. “As a senior leader I try to keep the team together and focused, along with setting a good example.”

Schwartz stated that the future for the team looks promising. There are a handful of players that will lead the team and push others to get better in the future, such as Logan Fennema ’17 and Fred Moody ’17.

“LT gave me the head coaching position to turn around their hockey program and bring it back to what is used to be in the ‘70s and ‘80s,” Nicholson said. “It is going to take time, but we have definitely made progress since the beginning of the year.”

Over the past decade Chicago hockey has grown in popularity, along with a greater fan base. Isaacson hopes that the teams fan base will grow and attract more fans as well.

“This year we have a chance at winning the scholastic division, and we play St. Rita on Feb. 25 in the first round of state,” Nicholson said. “If we go in with confidence and they follow my game plan I think we can upset St. Rita who is ranked number six in the state.”