Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/107894
FireAntz: Battle Ready by STEPHANIE CRIDER It's halfway through the season, and the make changes when you make 12-1. I know that other FireAntz are in top form. After taking on a new teams are going to get better and with this record it is coach this year, recruiting strong players and tough to make changes. Our fans are great and they working hard, the team is back on top of their want to see us do well every night. But as a coach, I can game and currently in first place in the Southern live with losing if we work the other team hard and give Professional Hockey League. 100 percent." "This team is far more competitive than last year," Don't miss the next game on Feb. 8. The Fort Bragg said FireAntz general manager Kevin McNaught. Patriots — the Fort Bragg hockey team formerly known "Three years ago we went to the finals but lost the as The Dragons — is playing right before the FireAntz. final game. We've always been a competitive team, "They are playing the Fort Benning team," said but the last two years have been down years." McNaught. "On that night it will be two for one tickets The new Head Coach, Mark DeSantis, didn't waste for military members. One ticket will get you in to both any time turning things back around. McNaught games if you are in the military." credits the coach's ability to build good chemistry The FireAntz have a strong relationship with the between the team members as a key ingredient. military community and partner with the U.S. Fort DeSantis came to the FireAntz after playing Bragg Public Affairs Office to distribute tickets to professional hockey for 16 years and then taking on FireAntz games among other things. Throughout the the role of assistant coach in Rapid City, S.D. for community the team partners with businesses three seasons. and organizations, too. For DeSantis, building a good hockey team is as For example, the team has been known to much about character as it is about skill. In the end, attend and sponsor blood drives, food drives and coach made the foundation of the team around three fundraisers for local charities. The Feb. 10 game key players. is a fundraiser to benefit the Cape Fear Valley "Obviously with a guy like Bobby Reed, our captain, Health Foundation's Friends of Children. "We've he was a good example of what I want to build our visited the hospital and they do more than cancer team around," said DeSantis. "He is a great person, related things," said McNaught. "They do a lot of he has good character and he's a good hockey fundraising and a golf tournament to raise money for player. That was my number one thing — getting a local children. We are happy to work with them and guy like him." support their work." Andrew Small played for DeSantis his last two Of course, the FireAntz love playing hockey and seasons in the Central League, and joined the making every game a good time, but the team is also FireAntz this year. serious about giving back to the community, starting "He is a little older, comes with a lot of in the rink. FireAntz home games often include themes experience and just wants to play a lot more," like military appreciation night, beach night, scout night, said DeSantis. "He plays 30-35 minutes a game. ladies night and more. McNaught says that the team Bringing a guy like him in has been good for the asks a lot from the community so it is only right that team." they give back. Marco Emond was DeSantis' next pick for Outside the rink, the team is always looking for ways building a strong team. to make a difference. "We visit about four schools a "Marco Emond, our goalie, has won 32 week. The players go out and visit schools and we do championships. You want to build around this type of a lot of rec centers, too," said McNaught. "We really person; they are what we need here in Fayetteville … enjoy getting the players out with the kids. In fact, and you just go from there," said DeSantis. we have more kids at our games than anyone in the Once these three players were on board, it was clear league. We do one kid's night a month." what needed to happen next. After 17 years in the community, McNaught says "We have a rising star in Josh McQuaid," said keeping things fresh and fun is important to the DeSantis. "His talent is off the charts — he brings it team. "The biggest challenge when you are around every night. The great thing about Josh is that he just it a lot is keeping things from being stale. We try to loves to score, and you can't fault a guy for that. " get the best team that we can on the ice every year. At the moment, the FireAntz are at 12-1. They've Off the ice we try to do more and more with the worked hard and played their best every game, but with community. It is something to always 19 games to go in the season, DeSantis has no illusions Photos courtesy of Tom Groves. work on and have an open mind about what lies ahead. about." "I am very happy, but it is real tough because I know Find out we have a real good fan base and they suffered the last two seasons," said more about the FireAntz at www. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcominDeSantis. "It is a tough one to start 12-1, I mean, I love it but it is hard to fireantzhockey.com. gweekly.com ;\YU [V V\Y JHSLUKHY L]LY` >LKULZKH` HUK ZLL ^OH[»Z OHWWLUPUN 484-6200 www.upandcomingweekly.com WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM FEBRUARY 6-12, 2013 UCW 13