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Nicholas Gag

Photo By Nicholas Gag- “Hammy is an awesome coach he’s always there to help both JV and Varsity players on and off the ice.” Junior Brandon Peterson says. Hamilton is a strong leader and is well liked and respected by his players. The coaching staff is a major reason why this team has been so successful.

“Hammy is an awesome coach, he’s always there to help both JV and Varsity players on and off the ice.” junior Brandon Peterson said. Anyone can walk into math teacher Pete Hamilton’s class and know how important hockey is to him. Hamilton is not just an avid hockey fan, he is an assistant coach for the varsity hockey team. The hockey team is one of the top teams in the state and Hamilton plays a major role in that.

Hamilton shows his unique personality not only at hockey, but also at school. Hamilton is a fan favorite for his great attitude and great sense of humor. This is important for many reasons. The players need to be having a good time to want to come into work that hard every day.

“Coach Hamilton is a great locker room guy, he’s always throwing around jokes and can really relate to all the players,” Peterson said.

Hamilton is an impact not only on the goalies, but every other position as well. On a team like this, it is important to have great coaches that can relate to their players. Coaches have left their imprint all over the game. Hamilton’s goalies are among the top in the state, he and his team work hard every day to maintain their status.

“Josh Benson, our starting goalie last year, had an outstanding season leading his team to the State Tournament. I think Hamilton played a major role in his success and the team’s success,” said junior Cole Fernandez. Hamilton’s goalies were elite last season. They allowed under two goals a game.

Along with coaching goalies, he also is a defense coach. Hamilton and the other skilled hockey coaches have put this team in a great position in every aspect. They are undefeated and are playing hard every game to keep it like that.

Hamilton has always been more of a defense guy according to Cole Fernandez. He was a goalie when he was younger. He first played for the Ponies in high school and was then talented enough to go onto play for Michigan Tech in college. After his time at Michigan Tech he played for the Green Bay Gamblers. Hamilton has the history and knowledge to help and bring this team to its first state title.

“I think his experience really helps out this team. He has been in our place before and he is here to help us. I think the fact that he used to play gives him some insights that other coaches don’t have,” said Peterson.

Hamilton has always had a strong connection with Stillwater. Growing up in Stillwater gave him the opportunity to play for the Ponies. Coaching for the team he once played for sometimes brings back some memories and maybe now pressures him to make the current team better.

With a team as good as this one there is no room for error. They want their record to be spotless and the rest of the state expects nothing else. They have targets on their backs. They are front runners in the state and all the other teams are trying to run alongside them. The coaching staff did a great job last year keeping them up and running near the front and it is a sure thing that the coaches will put them in a good place again.