Colts Recruiting: Free Skate with the Colts on July 19th

The Mesquite Colts High School Ice Hockey Club (www,mesquitecolts.com) has hired a new head coach and will hold a “Meet the Coach and Skate with the Colts” event on Sunday, July 19, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Duncanville.

Dennis Hall, a former Mesquite resident who has spent the last two years living and working in Fayetteville, North Carolina, has returned to the area and will take over as head coach for the club, which will begin its 2009/10 season with the AT&T Metroplex High School Hockey League this fall. The team’s former coach, Marty Winn, retired after 12 years with the club.

According to Hall, the team has roster spots available for players at all positions, and the team is actively recruiting new players. On July 19, parents and players interested in joining the team, as well as returning players, are invited to the Duncanville rink to hear more about the club, the schedule, the coach’s philosophy, fees and fundraising opportunities. Interested players can then join the returning roster of Colts and alumni for a free hour on the ice beginning at 4:45.

“This is a great way for parents and kids who are interested in stepping up to the high school hockey level to get a feel for how the system works, see firsthand the skill level of our returning players, and determine if joining the club is something they’d like to do,” Hall says.

The Mesquite Colts plan to compete at the Junior Varsity level in the league’s “Gold” division, a step up from the “Silver” division where they have played the last several years. The season will include 22 regular season games and two tournaments, with the first tournament kicking off the season in September.

Boys or girls in grades 8 – 12 who attend any of the Mesquite ISD campus locations or who are home schooled are eligible to play for the team. Students in nearby districts without a hockey team are also eligible to join the club.

Experience playing roller hockey or ice hockey is recommended but not required. Players who attend the free skate will need to be fully outfitted in hockey gear.

“We will begin our season with dry land and on-ice pre-season training later this month. We are willing to assist players who are making the transition from roller hockey to ice hockey. That’s where all our kids started, and it’s an easier transition than many think,” Hall says.

“We have a few returning juniors and seniors this season, but for the most part our team will be a very young team this year. We’re excited about the potential for the future of the club,” Hall says.

Businesses interested in supporting the Mesquite Colts and helping to defray the cost of the season are invited to become sponsors of the club. Support at any level is welcomed. The Mesquite Colts are a 503(b) non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible.

Ice hockey is not a UIL supported sport, but players are required to meet UIL rules with regard to academic performance. Players are responsible for paying club dues, which cover the cost of league fees and ice time. Fundraisers are held throughout the year to assist players and their families with the cost. Donations made to the club by businesses, family and friends help defray the costs for the team.

The club practices on ice once each week and off ice once each week. Games are played throughout the metroplex at Dr. Pepper Star Centers.

For more information, visit http://www.mesquitecolts.com/, or call the Team Manager, Paul Nessman, at 972 222 2676. Email inquiries can be sent to connie@outreachpr.com.