LAST YEAR: The Rockets were really good for a third straight season, posting a 17-8-2 record, but there were some disappointments along the way. They finished third in the O-K Conference Fisher Division, then were upset in a season-ending 4-1 loss to Traverse City Central in the regional finals, after advancing to the state semifinals the year before. R-P had a lot of senior firepower from scorers like Ayden Hartzell (26 goals) and Tyler Tindall (19 goals), and one of the challenges for this year’s Rockets will be to replace the offense they provided.
TOP FORWARDS: The Rockets are counting on a big season from talented senior Eli Cuti (15 goals, 28 assists last year), who head coach Bill Zalba says is “probably one of the smartest players I have ever been around, and not just in high school. The kid sees the ice probably more than most players, and I think he’s going to have a really, really big year.” Junior Hayden Taylor is also back after having a breakout season last year with 22 goals and 25 assists. Zalba says “his ability to create plays and protect the puck is almost on a different level at times. He’s going to have another big year.” Junior Tyler Cuti has reportedly developed a great shot and is expected to have a breakout year of his own this winter. Junior Jordan Benkert is a physical forward who is back this season to move bodies and create space for the big scorers. Two newcomers – junior Rohan Moyer and sophomore Dominic Switzer - are both joining the Rockets after playing on elite youth travel teams last season, and are expected to add a lot of offense.
R-P's Connor Anderson (3) takes a shot last season.
TOP DEFENSEMEN: Overall the Rockets will be younger and more inexperienced on defense this season, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great players in the group. It starts with senior Connor Anderson, an offensive defenseman who had 11 goals and 26 assists for R-P last season. As Coach Zalba put it, “He is the anchor on the back end. Offensively and defensively, he can do it all. He has a great leadership quality about him that’s kind of contagious. The last two years he’s just gotten better and better. I am excited to see his progression.” The other defensive anchor will be senior Kaeden Benner, who is more of a stay-at-home type who does a lot of the important dirty work to keep opponents from scoring. Also returning from last year is junior Thomas Grasman, who did not see a lot of ice time but is reportedly developing into a solid defenseman. A newcomer – 6-foot-4 sophomore Chase Strunk – is also known for gritty play and should perform a lot like Benner.
IN GOAL: Last year the guy between the pipes for R-P was Huck VanDyke, but he chose to play on an elite traveling team this season. In his wake comes his little brother, freshman Bear VanDyke, who will start right away and is expected to perform beyond his age. As Coach Zalba said, “The kid is good. He plays with a confidence and an edge that you want a goalie to play with. He’s got that compete in him. He’s the product of being the little brother of two older brothers who pushed him, and now it’s his turn to shine.” VanDyke will be backed up by junior Cason DeVowe.
REST OF THE ROSTER: There is talent throughout the rest of the roster, but a lot of the guys are young and will need time to develop. The list includes junior Hunter Hamilton (defense); sophomores Blake Martin (defense), Owen Silvis (forward/defense), Beckitt Johnson (forward), Sheldon Frederick (forward) and Drew Benner (defense); and freshmen Cameron Dreger (forward) and Michael Flanagan (forward).
R-P's Eli Cuti (17) during a game last season.
FIRST GAME: Friday against Rockford at Griff’s Icehouse in Grand Rapids at 5 p.m. The first home game is Saturday against Troy at Muskegon’s Trinity Health Arena at noon.
COACH COMMENT: “We have a good balance of upperclassmen and underclassmen and good team chemistry. At tryouts I saw some true competition and kids who just want to get better. We are also pretty skilled on our top two lines. Our biggest concern is that we lost eight seniors, and how much we need to replace the kids that left. We kind of have to have that next-man-up mentality. But this is a great group of kids. There are no egos on this team.” – Bill Zalba