This year, the Boys Varsity Hockey team’s success began long before the puck dropped. Players say the defining characteristic of this season lies in something deeper: a shared commitment to one another and to the Kent community through a deeply ingrained team culture. “If we wear a Kent shirt, we carry that spirit, and we mean it,” Richard Shin ‘26, a returning forward, shared. “Building strong relationships across campus translates directly into how the team plays together.”
During this year’s season, the team faced many challenges; most notably, a series of injuries that have impacted the roster. Despite a shortened roster and a fluctuating change of lineups, the team’s approach has been rooted in simplicity and accountability. Players emphasize a collective style of play in which no individual attempts to carry the burden alone, and commitment remains a defining characteristic of the group: a shared expectation that every player uphold the program’s standards.
To be a member of the team requires one to bring a collective mentality that is reinforced through the program’s daily habits and expectations. Effort is non-negotiable, players noted, as is respect for shared spaces, when it comes to leaving the locker room clean and properly organized. These small but consistent standards help define the culture that the team takes pride in maintaining.
Preparation on home game days is equally intentional. On a typical home game day, players, dressed formally in suits, arrive at the rink approximately two hours prior to the puck drop. After warming up and stretching, including a necessary re-taping of the hockey stick, the team gathers for a light soccer juggling game before gearing up for the ice. The most fundamental ideal in a team sport starts with bonding within the team. Afterwards, a focused chalk talk follows, tailored to that night’s opponent, before players circle the Kent logo on the carpeted floors of the locker room to hear the captains’ final words before game time.
“Beyond wins and losses, our team is playing for each other,” Dylan Rafail ’27 said. Defenseman Cal Gustafson ’26 echoed the same sentiment, noting that the challenges have strengthened the group’s resolve and outlook: “This season means way more to us now that we’ve lost so many guys to injury. We want to leave it all out there for those guys that mean so much to us.”
Still, confidence remains high. Richard Shin ’26 believes the team can compete with anyone when performing at its best. “I don’t think there’s a team out there that we can’t beat if we truly play to our potential,” he said. “We want to show that we’re not a team that gives up easily, but a team that fights.”
This statement can be reflected in recent highlights of the team’s accomplishments, including beating the perennial powerhouse Avon Old Farms 3–2 notwithstanding a shortened roster, as well as securing an upset win against Dexter Southfield, the historic, top-ranked team in Massachusetts, which entered the matchup with an impressive 22-2-3 record. Together, these two victories mark a significant milestone for Kent Boys Varsity Hockey. By sustaining such resilience and emotional strength, the team has positioned itself well for a potential run at the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) playoffs in March.
