After a seemingly endless spring, summer, and fall, it’s time to get back on the ice; it’s time to lace up the skates and drop the puck.

Ranger hockey is upon us as the season draws closer by the day. Familiar faces will take the ice this year as a heavy-loaded defense looks to lead FHC to another successful year in the history books. Senior Lucas Jeffreys will captain both the team and the defense going forward.

“Our defense is going to play a key role this year,” Lucas said. “Not only are we going to lock down in the defensive zone, but we are going to be very active in the offensive zone. It starts with the defense; we need to lead the forwards up the ice so we can get offensive chances.”

Like every other winter sport, the Rangers will have the chance to play in front of a bigger crowd as the COVID-19 restrictions will not apply as heavily as they did to the season prior. The Rangers will face a strong conference of East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills Northern/Eastern, Lowell/Caledonia, Muskegon Mona Shores, and Grand Rapids Christian. There are many games to highlight on the calendar, as this year’s conference will remain just as strong.

“They go hand in hand, but EGR and Northern/Eastern are always good rivalry games and are fun games to be a part of,” senior assistant captain Josh Smith said. “With playing Catholic Central in regionals for the past few years and losing, it’s my senior year, and I finally want to beat them and show who the better team is.”

FHC will also have to square off against multiple opponents from all across the mitten. The Rangers will travel north tomorrow, November 19, to square off against Bay Reps and then Traverse City West on Saturday the 20th. FHC will also play many different schools from the west side of the state, such as Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, Rockford, Grand Haven, Kenowa Hills, Jenison, Catholic Central, and West Ottawa.

The Rangers will return many familiar faces from younger classes, who continued to provide on the offensive end more and more as the season went on last year. Juniors Anthony Ott and assistant captain Sammy Mielock will look to improve from both their roles last year, as Mielock hopes to improve from his team-highs of 16 points and 10 goals last season. Sophomore Ryan Sutherlund and junior Nate Almassian will also gain more ice time this season after developing into the lineup bit-by-bit the season prior.

Of course, this defense will be a ferocious front to skate at with strong defensemen in Lucas Jeffreys, Josh Smith, and seniors Noah Smith and assistant captain Connor Defouw. Returning to the net this season will be senior Jake Munger and junior Justin Baehr with the spot being up for grabs this season after the departure of Gavin Brady.

Ranger hockey will return soon at last, as it looks to continue the success of FHC’s storied program.