The first thing you notice about the Crystal Ice House is the yellow neon sign and steel structure that make up its exterior. The smell of hockey, an overwhelming mix of ice, rubber, and sweat, radiates throughout the building. It’s a simple building, the type of building you expect to see from a youth athletic facility. And, as many don’t know, it houses athletes from Huntley High School.
Huntley High School takes pride in supporting all of its athletic programs. Millions were spent on renovating the football field, a new field house is being constructed, and Raider Nation shows up to countless athletic events. It seems like Huntley is the perfect home for every athlete, the kind of place where all sports are recognized and all athletes have a sense of camaraderie and belonging. But hockey is one sport where Huntley athletes receive little to no recognition.
The Kings High School Hockey Club is a hockey club that integrates players from Huntley High School, Jacobs High School, Hampshire High School, Burlington High School, and Marian Central Catholic High School to form a JV and varsity team. Although the club has no affiliation with any of these schools, it forms an important part of the schools’ athletic programs.
Being a member of the Kings varsity team requires commitment, as the team usually has three practices and three games every week. A Kings game means 45 minutes of hustle, with only one break at the second intermission. One person who knows just how much work this entails is Huntley senior Dan LaSota. LaSota came to the Kings
with only one year of hockey experience; LaSota put in a ton of hard work and has become an important part of the Kings team.
“Being on the team has made me realize hard work pays off,” said LaSota. “Now I am able to compete as if I’ve been playing hockey all my life.”
Putting so much time and effort into an athletic endeavor forms a close bond between teammates. A team pulling players from so many different schools is obviously going to have a harder time with team chemistry, but the Kings have been able to overcome any feelings of disunion between players. Many of the players have played together growing up and have developed bonds despite going to different schools. Kings varsity coach Joe Fell emphasizes team building and team chemistry in order to create the best environment for his players.
“We have a tight-knit group of guys on our team, which makes playing for the Kings that much more enjoyable,” said LaSota. “Whether we’re playing a game or in the locker room before practice, we’re always having a good time together.”
Every athlete and every team has dreams of success, and the Kings are no different. Fell, who played hockey at the United States Air Force Academy and coached for years in Rockford, knows what it takes to be successful in hockey. For Fell and the rest of those involved with the Kings organization, the goal is to make it all the way.
“Our goal is to win the state championship,” said Fell. “All of these games are about learning and preparing for it.”
At the end of the year, the Kings will be seeded along with every other team in the Illinois High School Hockey League and participate in the playoffs. They must win five games to make it to the championship held in the United Center.
Along with dreams of the state championship, the Kings have hopes of having more fan support. Although the team pulls players from so many schools, it receives little support from any of those schools. It seems strange that in an area so obsessed with the Blackhawks that a local hockey team gets such little fan support. Fell acknowledges that the team’s fan base is growing, but still wishes the team had more support.
“Part of the challenge is getting the word out,” said Fell. “We need more fans.”
While Raider Nation makes its presence known at most Huntley athletic events, it pays no attention to the Kings, despite the several athletes on the team from Huntley. For Huntley to consider itself a school that supports all its athletic programs, it needs to support all of its student athletes; that means supporting the football team, the bowling team, and even organizations like the Kings that are not directly affiliated with the school. Only time will tell if the team will finally receive the recognition it deserves.
Every member of the Kings certainly appreciates all the support they get.
“When people take the time to come, we really appreciate it because we know it is difficult to make it that late on a Sunday,” said LaSota.
Kings games take place on the weekends, usually on Saturday and Sunday nights. A full schedule can be found on the Kings website.