For the first time in its history, the Parkway West hockey team has a manager, junior Tyler Hannegan. Hannegan has been a hockey fan for as long as he can remember and in the span of two months has become the heart and soul of the club.
“I think having Tyler as the team manager is a great thing for the team,” senior Jacob Ransom said. “He is the most passionate fan I have ever seen and he loves the sport just as much as the players do.”
The players view Hannegan as a fourth coach because of his motivational speeches.
“Tyler’s such a bright and energetic kid who always has a smile on his face at the rink,” senior Nick Balestra said. “He brings so much positive energy to the team and makes me want to play better and take advantage of the opportunity to play hockey.”
In just half a season of high school hockey, Hannegan has successfully rooted himself as the backbone of the club.
“My passion for hockey inspired me to become the Parkway West hockey team manager,” Hannegan said.
Without Hannegan being at the games, the Longhorns hockey squad has a record of 1 win, 1 loss, and 1 tie, as opposed to 5 wins, 1 loss, and 5 ties when he is there.
“Tyler always says something in the locker room that motivates each and every one of us to play the best hockey that we can play,” senior Jordan Wojtak said. “He doesn’t say a whole lot, but what he does say really means a lot to us and really helps all of us to appreciate the fact that we are playing hockey for the school and for him.”
Hannegan has the same common goal as the rest of the team, and that is to have a winning record and deliver Parkway West its first ever Wickenheiser Cup.
“My goal for the team this year is to win the state title,” Hannegan said. “If we keep playing well I think we can do it.”
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