Tyler Castillo (@TylerCast_Jour) – Spear Reporter
SJSU club ice hockey went through embarks into a new era of its program this season.
The team’s home, Solar4America ice facility, opened the new Tech CU Arena expansion in August. Since then, new head coach Vaughn Reuter has led the way for practices on the new and fresh sheet of ice.
The Spartans still play games on their usual Solar4America ice rink. In the future, they could be playing home games on the same Tech CU Arena ice as the San Jose Barracudas, the San Jose Sharks’ minor league affiliate.
“I think eras kind of generally follow coaches,” said Reuter. “I would absolutely say this is a new era for hockey at San Jose State.”
Prior to being the head coach of the SJSU club ice hockey team, Reuter coached the San Jose Jr. Sharks. There he met future Spartans freshman forward Izzy Kodner and senior forward Christopher Dysart.
Dysart had also spent his time coaching with the San Jose Jr. Sharks before becoming captain of the Spartans club ice hockey team.
The captain said that his former mentor Reuter’s transition to the new head coach position was “a bit of familiarity, but it’s a good familiarity.”
The senior Dysart says that as captain, he must leave behind a piece of his legacy for future Spartans.
“On the ice and on the scoresheets you want to put down wins but I think the bigger focus is off the ice,” said Dysart. “Get them in on the culture and build that atmosphere around the rink and off the ice.”
Kodner describes Dysart as “The one who ties our whole group together.”
“I’m inspired by Chris,” said Kodner.
Kodner praised the new coach on his openness with the team. “I was able to easily find my voice,” said Kodner.
Reuter relies on the team’s student leaders in the Spartans’ locker room.
“Good leaders don’t look to lead,” said Reuter. “A good leader is one that doesn’t really shy away from big moments and they’re attentive.”
Tech CU Arena opening at the Solar4America ice facility marked a turning of the page for Reuter’s squad.
Nothing screams “new era” like a brand new home. Currently, the blue and gold only occasionally uses Tech CU Arena for practices.
“It’s cool that we have an arena one mile south of the campus,” said Kodner.
The team is a currently a club sport but has the potential to grow into something more. Reuter sees a future where the hockey team can fill the stadium at the new and shiny Tech CU Arena.
Dysart promises fans and students “big moments” by describing the Spartans games as “exciting, fast-paced and hard-hitting.”
“Ultimately, the goal is to win a league championship,” said Reuter. “Long term, we would love to grow our community support and the support with the San Jose State Athletics to consider and seriously look at declaring an NCAA team at some point in the future.”
It can be difficult to adjust to a new environment and a new head coach. However, rooted in SJSU club ice hockey members is a new goal for the entire program.
“I see a huge development in the team,” said Kodner. “We’re a really unified team.”
San Jose is already a home to professional hockey in the Sharks and Barracudas. The Spartans are building a foundation for college hockey and club sports in the shadow of the NHL.
