The BYU hockey team began training camp looking to build on the lesson’s learned from a tough 2011-2012 season.
Second year coach, Jeremy Weiss, said that last year his team struggled to make in-game decisions because of their youth. He cited execution and discipline several times as focuses of training camp as a remedy to those problems. However, Weiss believes this year’s team has improved in several of their weak areas.
“I really believe we’re right on the verge of having a phenomenal season,” Weiss said.
Tanner Billingsley, Mitch Facer and Cam Hymas are three players that Weiss singled out as players to watch this season. He also has high hopes for return missionary Nick Bartholomew as a player who can strengthen this team if he can recover from an off-season knee injury. As a freshman in 2009-2010 season Bartholomew showed promise, scoring 16 goals and adding 25 assists in 28 games played.
The team will also looking to Caleb Thomas for some strong play in the net. After coming to BYU with only experience in roller blade hockey, Weiss said Thomas rose to the occasion last season after their starting goalie left the team.
The Cougars have scheduled 28 games this season, with games against nearby schools such as UNLV, Boise State, Montana Tech and Colorado State.
“In-state games are the biggest primarily USU and the U of U,” Weiss said.
Weiss spoke much of Utah State as a team he would like to compete with more consistently. The Aggies have enjoyed success in their programs short history and have made several trips deep into the Division II tournament.
The Cougars take to the ice at Weber State on September 14 and 15 for a two game series.
