Last week, Dean of Students Scott Parseghian called the members of the girls hockey team to a meeting the Commons Conference Room. When they arrived, they were informed by Wayland High School Athletic Director Justice Smith and Wayland/Weston Girls Hockey Coach Bill McDonald that because the team did not have enough players, they were putting the team on hold.

“Some of them were understanding, some were upset,” said Smith. “There were mixed emotions in that room when I discussed it. It was a lot of mixed emotions.”

The decision was made after much thought and effort by Smith, McDonald, and Weston Athletic Director Chris Aufiero. They were only able to identify 10 returning players and one additional player who was still questioning whether or not to participate. In ice hockey, there are usually six players on the ice at a time, including the goalie.

“With so few players, it wouldn’t have been safe to play and the cost for each player would be $1600 at the least,” said junior and girls hockey player Bailey Morgan.

The cost per player is so expensive because the team must pay for equipment, transportation and ice time. There is currently a parent group working to try to keep the team together for the season.

“The group is looking at cost containment measures in the $35,000 budget, such as reducing practice time, eliminating buses, and sharing the rink with the boys JV squads from Weston and Wayland,” said Stu Cartwright, Wayland Hockey Association Board Member.

In addition to lowering costs, both the Wayland and Weston Athletic Directors, on behalf of the girls hockey team and their families, have submitted a petition to the MIAA to allow the high school team to include eighth graders.

If the petition, which is set to be heard this week, is approved, the team maybe be able add eighth graders to its roster, giving it enough players to continue.

The parent group has already identified five eighth graders who could play for the high school team if the petition is approved.

If the petition is unsuccessful, there are still other options for the girls.

“Title Nine states that each sex should have an opportunity to play every sport, so we gave the girls an option that if this did not work out, that you have the opportunity to play on the boys team,” said Smith. “I don’t think they were really excited about that. I just think that they would like to have had their own team.”

Between the efforts to lower costs and the petition to the MIAA, it is still possible that the girls hockey team will be out on the ice this season.

“By the looks of it, most likely, we’re probably going to be able to establish a team. I can’t say 100%, but it’s looking good right now,” said Smith. “What we have to do is we have to make sure that all of the parents and all of the players and everybody are all in this together.”

UPDATE:

Last week the MIAA accepted the petition submitted by Smith and Aufiero, allowing the team to include eighth graders. That move increased the roster to 13 members. Smith and Aufiero have scheduled a 12-game season, with the option to schedule additional games.

“[The] Wayland Hockey Association will continue fundraising efforts to subsidize some of the cost for players,” said Cartwright. “Though most of the expense is absorbed by players and their families.”

This will be the Wayland/Weston Girls Hockey teams sixth season in the Dual County League.