Player Profile- Matt DelGiudice

Matt DelGiudice from Oakland, ME
5’8”, 180lbs
Position: Forward

WH- What are you looking to get out of this year at Bridgton Academy?’
MD- Athletically I’m looking to play junior hockey competition, to get stronger and to get ready to play in college. Academically I’m looking to raise my GPA and to improve on my SAT scores.

WH- What is your favorite class so far?
MD- Sociology with Mr. Roche. He keeps us entertained, he’s always moving around and keeping us engaged, you can’t fall asleep! (ed note: Matt takes this class first thing in the morning) I’m getting a lot out of it and really enjoy the discussions.

WH- How has the hockey pre-season been going?
MD- It’s been really tough, it’s doing a lot for the team as we are getting to see who hat eh mental ability to stick it out. That’s important during a season that is this long. We’re getting to know each other and learn how to stick it out together as a team, with is important for us to learn for the next level.

WH- What have you thought of the BA experience thus far?
MD- So far it’s been quite an experience, you’re living with these guys for eight months, it’s a unique school and one that you won’t forget. We’re all in this together so there is a bond. So far it’s been fun, I’m looking forward to the next seven months.

WH- What do you need to improve?
MD- I need to get stronger, and I’m spending a good amount of time in the weight room. I’m learning to understand the different concepts on the ice, how the game is played at this next level, how to be a two way player, how to play with greater intensity during shorter shifts. I played in tournaments this summer with coach Printz and it gave me a chance to get used to this style. In high school my line played 12 out of 15 minutes in period- so it was hard to be as intense, here your going 100mph all the time- and if you’re not your sitting on the bench.

WH- What is surprising to you this year?
MD- I’m realizing that school isn’t always a bad thing. Waking up can be tough, but once I’m up and going I’m enjoying school, the environment and the people. I thought it would be miserable, but I’m enjoying it. I had talked to kids that had played hockey here in the past and they called it “academic hell”, but I’m finding I’m enjoying the academic side.
In high school all I wanted to do was play soccer, hockey and lacrosse- school was just something I “had” to do. But here there are people who have put their necks out so that I could be here. My Mom and Dad are making this happen for me, and I’ve got younger siblings at home that they have to take care of so this is a big deal and I don’t want to let them down.

WH- What are you looking forward to this season?
MD- This season, the competition. We have some really good teams that we are playing, the travel, playing rinks that I’ve never been to before, the team, experience, the whole package. I’m really looking forward to the rest of this year.

WH- What does it mean to be a Wolverine?
MD- It means a lot. This is the only school I put any effort into coming to. I learned about the hockey program, then found out about the academic program and knew this was where I needed to be. Once I got accepted I was excited and it’s been great so far.

WH- If you could give any advice to high school juniors or seniors out there what would it be?
MD- Buckle down. Don’t slack off. Colleges don’t care how good you are if you don’t have the grades, academics count. Take some good classes and put in the effort.



Good luck to Matt and the rest of the Wolverine Hockey team. Look for more player bios coming soon.

Halfway Home

We have completed three weeks of training, and we are three weeks away from the first game of the season. Although the training has been intense, the boys have come further in three weeks than any team in the past.

"With the shortened fall program, we have accelerated the training and the team has responded well," commented Coach Printz. "The on ice session this week was very encouraging, and I am excited to see the continued progression. I had my doubts early on, but more guys are stepping it up each day. We are certainly headed in the right direction."


The Wolverines play their first home game on October 12 at 1:00pm. Look for a complete season preview coming soon.

Player Profile- Ben Pearl

Ben Pearl is a center forward hailing from East Montpelier Vermont who is looking forward to the season here at Bridgton Academy.

WH-What do you think so far of Bridgton Academy?
BP- It's exactly what I needed, as it's structured. I never knew how to really schedule my time with school and hockey and everything else, is this is helping me do that- to find balance.

WH-What have you found here at Bridgton Academy that you weren't expecting?
BP- I wasn't expecting that the team would gel so fast. We're all good friends already. Everyone is here for the same reason and we're all in the same boat.

WH-What are your goals for hockey this year?
BP- To get bigger, stronger, and get looked at by college programs. Getting my name out there during showcases and tournaments. Having fun and meeting new people. Academically I want to get my SAT scores up, they aren't bad but I don't want to be in a situation where a coach is interested in me but I can't get in due to academics, so I'm working hard on that.

WH- What does it mean to you to be a Wolverine?
BP- It's good. We have a lot of pressure on us to show we belong in this schedule, we are playing really good teams and we need to prove ourselves every time we hit the ice. I also feel a sense of connection to the players that came through the program before and the players that will come through it in the future, not just players but everyone here at BA, we're all in this together.

WH- What class are you enjoying most?
BP- Economics, I like math because there is a definitive answer and economics has that along with the conceptual side.

WH- What would surprise your friends about you at home that you've discovered about yourself here at Bridgton?
BP- That I'm smart. I wasn't the "smart" kid in high school, but I think it was because I didn't try. Here I'm trying and I'm doing well and that feels good, plus everyone is trying hard so there's support to work hard and be proud of you academics. They'd be surprised that I'm proud of my academics here.

WH-What did you think when you met the team, and what do you expect out of the season?
BP- A step up, there are a lot of top players from all over, it's like an all-star team. We just need to get to know each other better to build that trust on the ice. I'm expecting some wins some losses. I'm expecting to get bigger and stronger, getting to know my teammates and having fun.

WH- When you look at the schedule what are you looking forward to?
BP- The Glades, that's sort of my hometown team and then Tilton as I'll be playing a lot of kids I grew up playing hockey with.


Good luck to Ben and the 2008-2009 Wolverine Hockey Team.

First Week is in the Books

The first week of training is complete, and the Wolverines draw one week closer to the start of the season. Although a few of the boys are a bit sore, every player is well on their way to being prepared for game 1 in October. A lot of weight has been pushed around the weight room already, and the miles are adding up. If the first week is any indication, the team will have no issues continuing the long tradition of hard work trademarked by Coach Printz's past teams.

First Practice a Great Success

The Bridgton Academy Hockey team traveled to the University of Southern Maine for its first on-ice session of the preseason. There is a great deal of optimism from this group as this squad is as talented as ever.

"I have not seen a group of forwards with this combination of size and speed in my time at Bridgton," said 8 year assistant Coach Jason Leveille.

Coach Mike Meserve added, "Our defense looks like they can really move the puck, and the goaltending was outstanding today."

Coach Printz seemed pleased with the session, and added some insight into the future. "It was great starting point. For our first day together, it went better than expected, but it is far from where we need to be. If we continue to improve our strength and conditioning, the rest will fall in place and we should be poised for another successful year."

The Wolverines open their season on October 11 at Bridgton Ice Arena. For a complete schedule, you can visit the team page at www.bridgtonacademy.org.

29 Sign on to Preseason Roster

Physical Testing has finished and 29 players have signed to the preseason roster for the 2008-2009 Wolverine Hockey team. The group is full of energy and excitement, and the coaching staff is very pleased with the work done in the summer. "Although there is a long way to go with our strenght and conditioning, I think we are starting ahead of the game, " Coach Printz commented. "With the overall baseline and the great work of our Strength and Conditioning Staff, I am confident that we will be where we want to be before October 11th."

The Wolverines will open their season on October 11th with a home game against the Mass Jr. Mariners. The team will travel Wednesday to the University of Southern Maine for their first on ice practice of the season.

Start of Condition Testing

Coaches Printz, Leveille and Meserve got their first look at the 2008-2009 Wolverine Hockey Team today as the student athletes hit the field for some condition testing after the first day of classes.

Look for a season preview very soon.