The Midcoast Ice Cats ice hockey team wrapped up their 2010-11 season with an 11-4-1 record. After a slow start with back-to-back losses to Hampden Academy and Waterville, the Ice Cats won their next nine games.
The nine game winning streak was highlighted by “an explosive offense led by leading scorer Medomak Valley’s Yannick Price-Prevot, Rockland’s Jacob Perry and a very offensive-minded core of defensemen, including Medomak Valley’s Kerry Madden, Cal Robbins, and Rockland’s Tyler Fogg, and freshman Noah Klewin, who is home schooled.
Strong two way play from Medomak Valley’s Kenny Scheimreif and Mount View’s Tyler Hadyniak was also significant to the Ice Cat’s success,” third year coach Michael Schroeder commented. The team made it to the semi-finals of the playoffs.
“We got off to a slow start early in the season but as the team began to play within our system, our offense really kicked it into high gear, even scoring in double digits a couple times,” Schroeder added.
Lewiston snapped the Ice Cats’ streak with back-to-back losses. “I was happy the way we bounced back after Lewiston to end our regular season with wins against Cony and Leavitt. Those games really showed the true character of our team as we played without our top two scorers. Parker Spear gave us a solid effort in goal and a couple of our role players chipped in with key goals,” Schroeder commented.
The Ice Cats wrapped up their season with a 5-2 win over Leavitt, with Medomak Valley’s Cal Robbins scoring five points, including 2 goals and 3 assists, and Rockland’s Parker Spear playing “solid goaltending between the pipes.” They competed in the Sukeforth Tournament at Sukee Arena in Waterville, and reached the semi-finals before being eliminated in the eight team round robin.
“We’ve been very competitive. We play regular high school hockey,” coach Mike Schroeder said. The Ice Cats’ two-year record is 31-9-4. They play a mixed varsity and JV schedule, including varsity B teams and JV A teams, or a mixture of second and third line varsity players. “We get a fair amount of exposure,” Schroeder added.
Schroeder said, “In a couple to three years we hope to be a true varsity sport with a Class A schedule.” The Ice Cat “program is for any high school that doesn’t have [hockey as] a varsity sport.”
Players are responsible for their own stick, skates, helmet, gloves and protective gear. Everything else, including ice time, officials, socks and home and away jerseys is provided.
“It is free. It doesn’t cost anything. This is not a pay-to-play program,” Schroeder said. The team holds a big auction every spring to fundraise for the program. Anyone interested in joining the team next season, contact Schroeder at 323-0214.
“We draw from a wide area, it’s pretty amazing. It has been fun to coach students from all different high schools, from all backgrounds. And they all become friends. There is no hazing or initiation, and very little attitude. There is a lot of support for each other. By the end of the season they all become good friends,” Schroeder said.
Five Medomak Valley students played on the Ice Cats last winter, including Cal Robbins, Yannick Price-Prevot, AJ Naum, Kerry Madden and Kenneth Scheimreif. “Some of our stronger players are from Medomak Valley High School,” Schroeder commented.
Price-Prevot was the leading scoring on the team, combining for 43 points, including scoring 26 goals and logging 17 assists. Robbins scored 36 points, including 16 goals and 20 assists. Robbins had three hat tricks and had one-four goal game.
