BERKLEY, Mich. – As a leader and in his final season of junior hockey eligibility, Berkley Bruins’ forward Tory Shand knows to take the season one day at a time.

The 20-year-old native of Highland, Mich., has tallied six goals and 11 points through nine games this season with the Berkley Bruins and knows that team success breeds individual success.

He’s tied for the team lead in goals and is second in total points.

“So far, the season has had its ups and downs, but I'm happy with the way the team is starting to gel and work together,” Shand said. “On a personal note, I feel that I have to keep working hard to be the captain that I know I can be and also the captain my team needs me to be. I'm starting to slow things down and get back into the flow of the game, which is good, but I need to put the puck in the net every chance I get. I have had a ton of scoring chances over the past few games and I need to bear down and finish to help the team get a few more ‘Ws.’ If I do that, then I'll be playing the role my team and coaches expect me to play.”

After getting out to a sluggish start, the Bruins took three straight at home last weekend from the Alpena Flyers – all by 6-5 scores, including Sunday’s in a dramatic shootout.

“The mood in the locker room has finally started to lighten up,” noted Shand. “I know we had a slow start, but with last weekend’s sweep, we finally have started to come together as a team. We have a long road ahead of us and we need everybody on board. It's something were working on and will continue to work on as the season progresses. If we can get 110 percent effort out of everyone, then I'm sure we can be a serious threat to every team in this league.

“It just starts one practice and one game at a time.”

As a team-first player, Shand has the praise of Berkley head coach Dan Pszenyczny this year.

“Tory works hard every time he steps on the ice, every practice and every shift during the game,” said Pszenyczny. “He pushes himself and pushes the team to get better. He's one of the first ones to speak up when things need to be brought to attention and when the team needs a spark, he's one that can change the momentum of a game.”

Shand added that the defensive part of his game has been revamped in the early going of this Midwest Junior Hockey League season.

“We have to protect our house no matter what,” said Shand. “The first step is to be strong in our zone and then work our way forward as a unit. No one man can compete against five guys, so it's crucial that we work together and make the game as easy for ourselves as possible. It's something I have been working on and our team has been working on. If we do the small things in the game, it will lead to key scoring opportunities later that can potentially decide some close games.

As a 1994 birthdate, Shand will wrap his junior career after this season.

Ask him, though, and he’s honestly not sure what the future holds, but staying on the ice is the top priority.

“It's hard to say to where I'm going to be a year from now because I have to stay focused one day at a time,” Shand said. “I don't want to get ahead of myself in any way. In saying that, I will get better and will continue to work hard to play hockey as my career. There is no better sport and I can't see myself loving anything more than the game of hockey, so if I can play at a higher level of juniors or land on a college team, then that would be my goal. This sport is really something special and I want to play it for as long as I possibly can.

“You never know when it's going to be your last time stepping onto that ice, so I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep lacing up the skates.”

The Bruins hit the road this weekend for three games against the Decatur Blaze in Decatur, Ill. Game times (all Eastern Daylight Time) at the Decatur Civic Center are set for 8 p.m. Friday, 8:30 p.m. Saturday and then 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

All games will be available on www.fasthockey.com.

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