LAPEER — The Goodrich hockey team will not skate during the upcoming winter season, despite moving its home ice to the Polar Palace Arena Complex last season.

Goodrich coach Brian Tangney reports that numbers don’t support a full team, and that he’ll take his time to explore options for the 2009-2010 season.

“There are just not enough skaters,” Tangney said. “We are going to take our time to seek a co-op for next season. Presently, there are only 10 skaters and two goalies for this next season, and that’s not enough.”

Tangney also said that he is hearing similar reports out of other high schools, that the numbers are down and they, too, are seeking to co-op teams.

“I’m hearing from other schools the same, so we should find a good fit.”

This is not a new problem to Genesee Area Conference Teams, as Otisville-LakeVille had to cancel its season last year because it only had six kids come out to play. The Falcons tried to co-op with another small team, but that transition did not happen soon enough to get schedules set up and players acclimated as a team. Whether or not the Falcons can put together a team for the upcoming season is still up in the air, but unless it and Goodrich can find a way to field players, it too could face another season off the ice.

Last season, Goodrich finished at 14-5-2 after falling to Fenton, 4-2, in Div. 2 pre-regional action at the Polar Palace. — L.P.

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