BERKLEY, Mich. – After playing in the Berkley Bruins’ final nine games of the 2013-14 season, Alex Anderson wanted to see how much he could contribute during a full season.

As one of the few veteran players with the Bruins this year, Anderson is near the top of the team scoring leaders with three goals and four points through six games.

Last season, the 19-year-old forward from Highland, Mich., tallied three goals and two assists for five points in his nine games.

“I came back this year because I saw the potential the team had over the summer and I knew that we had some key players returning and were picking up a few more, too,” Anderson said. “Last February, I came to the team straight off the couch, was in terrible shape if not the worst athletic shape of my life. I would say I did okay for the shape I was in and as a team, those last nine games were good. We played good and got our first sweep of the season (Feb. 28-March 2 at home against Bloomington).”

After the season, Anderson travelled to Las Vegas to represent the Midwest Junior Hockey League at the UHU national championship as part of the “Best of the Rest” squad.

“I had a great time there and got to meet other players from the MWJHL,” said Anderson. “Overall, it was a great experience.”

This season, Berkley is off to a slow start, going winless over its first six games. That said, Anderson is not one to panic.

“It's been a tough start to a season, but I like that I’m playing with some good friends and the team always works hard,” Anderson said. “The wins will come. We just all have to stick with it and listen to our coaches. We just can't get down on ourselves. We have to learn from our mistakes, start taking things from practice and put them in games. To stay focused as a team we have to keep our goals in mind and always want to achieve them.”

Berkley head coach Dan Pszenyczny has been impressed with Anderson thus far.

“Alex has a great attitude and work ethic on and off the ice,” Pszenyczny said. “He has the drive and passion to learn and play the game. His game from last season to this season has grown at every level. His skating, shooting and positioning have all improved tremendously. Alex is a player that is being used all over the ice in all situations and is a great team player on and off the ice. He shows up to practices and games focused and ready to work.”

Anderson has seen his most success this season playing on a line with Tim Muhsman and Tory Shand, something that Pszenyczny started experimenting with during the summer.

“We practiced together and the chemistry was there,” said Anderson. “(Assistant) coach (Mike) Rumps said it looked like we had skated together for years.”

To continue playing hockey after this season, Anderson is aware of what he needs to do to keep “living the dream.”

“I just have to keep working hard and have to always want to find things, even little things, to do to improve my game,” said Anderson. “I have to stay healthy and stick with my season goals, get better in every little way possible. There's always room for improvement.”

The Bruins host the Alpena Flyers for three games this weekend at the Berkley Ice Arena. Game times are 7 p.m. Friday night, 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

All games will be on www.fasthockey.com.

Photo/Jeff Zigman