Ice hockey fans are sure to see plenty that they like in the inline version of the sport. In fact, according to Seckman inline hockey program director and head coach Chris Winkelmann, they might even find more.
“I think inline hockey is a little bit looser,” Winkelmann said. “There’s two less people on the rink all the time. So rather than 5-on-5, it’s 4-on-4, and that lends itself to having a little bit more freedom, a little bit more creativity on the rink.”
There is certainly a similar skill set involved, although Winkelmann said the friction caused by the puck moving across the floor rather than gliding along the ice forces the players to use their arms and hands a bit more.
“It takes more work to control the puck and keep it out in front of you,” Winkelmann said.
It also takes a heavy dose of what Winkelmann calls “the three Ps of inline hockey” – possession, patience and passing.
“Ice hockey seems to be more about moving forward, moving fast, moving quickly, where inline is a more methodical game,” said Winkelmann, who also coaches Maryville University’s team. “With inline hockey, there tends to not be a mad rush north with the puck every time you get it. I’m not saying we don’t do that when the opportunity is there, but it’s definitely a more patient and more passing game. What I preach as a coach is if you do all three of those things, if we keep possession, pass the puck and play with patience, then the outcome will usually be very good. The teams that do that are the teams that will be successful.”
Teams like the Seckman Jaguars.
“Historically, our inline hockey program is strong,” Winkelmann said. “For a medium-sized school in Jefferson County, we’ve always had a very good inline hockey program every year.”
This season appears to be no different. After splitting a pair of games at Matteson Square Garden in St. Peters on Saturday – losing to Fort Zumwalt North 8-5, then beating Fort Zumwalt West 10-2 – Seckman boasts a 7-3 overall record in the Varsity Tier 1-2 Division of the Missouri Inline Hockey Association. Among the Jaguars’ top wins are a 6-5 triumph over CBC and an 11-1 trouncing of St. Louis University High.
“This team is very unselfish and honestly, we move the puck like nobody’s business, and that’s why we have the success that we do,” Winkelmann said. “All of these boys are team players, and when you have everyone pulling on the rope at the same time, we’re tough to beat.”
Parker Winkelmann, the coach’s son, scored two goals with three assists to help lead the Jaguars past Fort Zumwalt West. Winkelmann leads the Varsity Tier 1-2 Division in both goals (23) and assists (18).
“He’s an all-around player, and he’s very team-oriented,” the coach said. “He can finish, but he’s just as good a passer if not a better passer and playmaker than he is a scorer. He’s just very unselfish.”
Joey Gryglewski is second on the team in scoring with 10 goals and nine assists in eight games.
“Joey is relentless,” Winkelmann said. “He gives 110 percent effort every second he’s out there.”
Hunter Freie, a first-year varsity player whom Winkelmann said “is anchoring the second line,” is tied for eighth overall in the division with 10 assists and also has eight goals. Alex Koeller, “another staple on the second line,” has nine goals along with five assists.
“It’s these guys who help give us the one-two punch and make us so successful,” Winkelmann said. “We’ve got the top line, but then we’ve got our second line where there is not much of a dropoff, if any.”
Cole McWard, who scored a hat trick and added an assist in the win over Fort Zumwalt West, has 10 goals with five assists in seven games. Matthew McGowan has six goals and nine assists for the Jaguars.
“Both of those guys are super-smart players, great two-way players, and they’re just great kids,” Winkelmann said.
The rest of the team includes Frankie Hornburg (8 goals, 3 assists), Logan Stehr (2, 7) and Grant Tamminga (3, 2). Jake Bachesta has played every minute in goal, posting a goals against average of 4.40 with a .798 save percentage that is fourth-best in the league.
“Jake has been solid all season, and he’s maturing and growing as we speak,” Winkelmann said.
“The chemistry on this team is great, and if you have that going for you, you’re going to be on top of the league no matter what, because you’re sharing the puck, you’re making the extra passes, and that’s how you score. One guy isn’t taking it end to end and forcing it down the other team’s throat, that just doesn’t work at the varsity level. You really have to have a good, unselfish group like we do, and the results show it.”
And given the growth of the club, Winkelmann said there’s no reason to believe that Seckman can’t continue to perform at a high level for years to come. The junior varsity team won the preseason tournament, and with the addition this season of a junior high team, the Jaguars are able to bring players as young as fifth grade into the program, which bodes well for the future.
“Like any sport, any school, any organization, it’s important to have a pipeline,” Winkelmann said. “The sooner you get kids playing together, the better the team chemistry and cohesion is going to develop as time goes on, and if you can get to them before they enter high school, then by the time they do get to high school, you’re already ahead of the curve as far as team chemistry is concerned.”