The U16 Knights are made up of:

• Trevor Armentrout

• Justin Berezinski

• Josh Berezinski

• Tyler Berg

• Mason Bright

• Mitchell Bright

• Matt Fishman

• Ryan Galvin

• Dan Hammer

• Eric Hernandez

• Hunter Ivey

• Austin Krusko

• Jared McCormack

• Davis Middeke

• Joey Onorato

• Colby Tobin

• Dawson VanGalder

• Beau Vlach

• Dominick Yamarino

The Atlanta Knights U16 Midgets took to their home ice on Friday March 7th, just a little nervous as game one of the State Championships was to begin.  From the beginning of the season our coaches had  said “ you play as you practice….be quick and snappy..not slow and crappy.” We were ready to play our hearts out as this was the road to Nationals…our goal from the beginning of the season. Once states came around, you could tell everyone in the locker room was ready to play, because it might be the last game of the season! Even though everyone was nervous, we were still pumped up because of the crowd and the speeches the coaches gave in the locker room prior to the first game. We knew the game would be close but weren’t really sure what to expect, because no one on the team knew anything about the Bandits.  When the puck dropped in the first game of states, you could tell right away that everyone on the ice was ready to play.  The game was going back and forth for a while so everyone on the team was relieved when they heard the sound of the final buzzer and we came out on top. After that first game  everyone knew we had to come out harder than before.  When the second game began on Saturday afternoon, it was noticeable that everyone came out three times harder than the previous game. We knew after the first period that we had the Bandits on their heels. We were running all over them. They didn’t stand a chance! At the end of the game we all knew our hard work at practice had paved the way to Nationals!  WE HAD WON THE BOB McCAIG STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!

We appreciate everything our coaches have done to develop our skills on and off the ice. Our off ice discipline in our school work was an element that the coaches not only expected but required. The scheduled study time on road trips increased our time management skills, which developed a team mentality as everyone was required to participate. We were training to not only develop our hockey skills but to be responsible young adults in every aspect of our life.

As we look forward to Nationals next week, I know all of my teammates will bring 100% effort on and off the ice in representing our Atlanta Knights Hockey organization!!!!  GO KNIGHTS!!!!!!!!

Justin Berezinski

Atlanta Knights U16 Midget Travel Team