The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Centerville shooting for repeat ice success

Elks are determined to return to state hockey after advancing to the semifinals last season.

Centerville’s Joe Breslin, right, and Toledo St. John’s Kyle Knox fight for a loose puck during the first period of their OHSAA state semifinal hockey game Saturday, March 14, in Columbus. Centerville lost to Toledo St. John’s 7-0.

Associated Press photo by Jay LaPrete Centerville’s Joe Breslin, right, and Toledo St. John’s Kyle Knox fight for a loose puck during the first period of their OHSAA state semifinal hockey game Saturday, March 14, in Columbus. Centerville lost to Toledo St. John’s 7-0.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Bengals kicker Nugent pulling for Centerville
9/8/10
After August crash course, Alter’s Thuney becomes 2-way lineman
9/8/10
High school sports results for Wednesday
9/8/10
High school sports results for Tuesday
9/7/10
Wayne hurting with key players injured
9/6/10
> More high school headlines

E-mail this page

By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer 9:11 PM Wednesday, January 13, 2010

CENTERVILLE — A dozen state appearances, a state title and a dozen league championships have created a storied hockey history for Centerville High School, but success is not a thing of the past for the Elks.

“This program has a great history but we’re working hard to leave our own legacy and make sure the young players are on the right path for a successful future,” Elks senior defenseman Marc Middleton said.

The Elks advanced to the state semifinals last season for the first time in more than a decade, and this year’s Centerville squad is determined to return to state.

“There are definitely a lot more expectations this season from everyone, including ourselves,” senior defenseman John Dowd said. “I think we have a lot of potential. If we can put it all together we can achieve a lot this year.”

According to the third-year head coach Adam Frank, last season’s success has been a double-edged sword for the Elks.

“There’s no doubt that when you make it to state, you hunger for it the next season,” Frank said. “That was an incredible experience, but the honest truth is that it also brings with it some challenges. Every team is gunning for you and you can’t slip under the radar.”

Progressing

The Elks have already been challenged this season, facing state runner-up Toledo St. John’s. While Centerville was shut out 5-0, Frank wasn’t disappointed by his team’s showing.

A tougher schedule and higher expectations have provided added incentive for the already-motivated Elks.

“You can tell that there are teams that look at us as more serious competition this season,” Middleton said. “Now the pressure is on us to see if we can continue to gain their respect.”

After a strong 5-1 start, the Elks were 8-6 after falling to St. John’s, but records are not their priority.

“We’re not as concerned about out our record because we feel like we need to get better as a team and if we do that, we’ve done our job,” Dowd said. “And we’re playing some really tough competition, so we’ll be battle tested.”

Playing the best

Those battles were intentionally added to the schedule.

“We are playing five of the top 10 teams in the state,” Frank said. “We may lose to all of them but that’s OK. My whole approach is about getting the team ready to make a run for state at the end of the season.”

The Elks’ next big test comes this weekend, Jan. 16-18, at the Martin Luther King Tournament in Columbus.