The Cal High hockey team wrapped up its season with a tough run.
But to many students, the team is a hidden gem, with many unaware the school has one in the first place.
“I had no idea that Cal even had an ice hockey team,” sophomore Jane Baca said.
The 2024-25 season that began in March may not have ended with a playoff run last month, but for the co-ed team, progress wasn’t measured in wins alone.
Finishing with a record of 2-6, Cal stayed motivated throughout the season, focusing on improving their team dynamic on and off of the ice.
The 19-player team adjusted to a roster heavy with underclassmen under the guidance of co-head coaches Alex Kaplenko, Mick Welch, and John Hazelwood.
Hazelwood has coached the team for two years and believes that the team could improve by moving the puck around the net more. Still, coaches and players agree that numbers don’t tell the full story.
“This season was really fun. I was worried, as I was still learning hockey and trying to understand different dynamics and skills, but I really loved seeing how my teammates played,” sophomore Talia Campbell said. “They were all so quick and so professional, it was amazing to watch and [to] get a chance to play with [them].”
One of the most unique dynamics shaping Cal’s hockey season wasn’t just what happened in Grizzly colors but what happened outside of them.
“I have a huge bond with my teammates and we support each other on and off the ice,” sophomore Alistair Boomer said. “Being surrounded by people who are just as passionate about the game pushes me and motivates me to work harder, and it makes the whole experience more rewarding.”
While the extra ice time helped sharpen individual skills and elevate the team’s play, it also added a competitive edge. Club teammates often became rivals once they put on their high school jerseys.
Prior to Cal’s season, several Cal players competed on other teams, including the Tri-Valley Bulls and Tri-Valley Blue Devils.
“It’s pretty fun [playing against people that I know], especially people I haven’t seen in a while,” sophomore Ava Welch said. “The whole hockey community is everybody knows everybody, so every time we play, I always have a few friends on the other team.”
Junior Miles Cooper said the hockey community is what holds players together.
“Everyone is supportive [of] one another because we all love the same thing,” Cooper said. “Without the community, hockey wouldn’t be the same.”
That inner competitiveness within the team brought a sharper edge to the game and a sense of community.
Dual participation in high school and club hockey means long weeks and demanding schedules, but for Cal players, it’s become a proving ground.
“Being a female captain on this team is an important part of playing [for me], especially in a male dominated sport,” sophomore Ava Welch said.
The leadership of Welch means a lot to the two other female players.
“It meant a lot to see girl players, as a lot of my teammates away from Cal High are boys,” Campbell said. “Seeing girls who are so strong and so good at what they do was very inspiring.”
Cooper said that playing hockey is fulfilling because he enjoys the sport’s challenges.
“Playing hockey for me is for the fun of it, I enjoy the challenges it brings and it really makes you focus on improving yourself,” Cooper said. “For me, being a goalie is unique because you’re on a team sport, but an individual position. Having the team rely on you so much is both good and bad, depending on how I’m playing.”
Although final record might not turn heads, the foundation this season created just might. With a growing core of underclassmen gaining valuable experience, Cal is quietly positioning itself as a team to watch.
While the scoreboard didn’t always favor the Grizzlies, their season served as a reminder that success comes in many forms, and that every setback is room for improvement.
“The most important aspect is truly understanding how to work with a team,” Campbell said.
