By Brian Zbysenski
Published: March 10, 2010

The Cal State Fullerton Titan Ice Hockey club wrapped up their season a few weeks ago, but the team is already looking forward to another hard-working and exciting year.

After finishing their first full season with an 11-16 record, the Titans are optimistic about what is to come.

The team is only getting better as time progresses and gaining confidence every time they step onto the ice.

This past season, the Titans faced tougher competitors than the prior exhibition season, from local teams such as Long Beach State, San Diego State and USC to non-local opponents such as the University of Utah, Northern Arizona University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

According to a Titan Ice Hockey newsletter, the upcoming schedule for next season is in its final stages and will include new destinations to Washington and San Jose.

“This season is helping us set up for next season,” said sophomore center Dalton Braniff, a 20-year-old advertising major.

Since player chemistry is essential in team sports, he also mentioned that the team is bonding more and getting used to playing as a team.

During the offseason, the team will continue conditioning and weight training in order to stay in shape and to build relationships among teammates.

But as new players may find themselves on the roster this coming season, more bonds will have to be made to ensure that team unity maintains its status quo.

It may sound like taking a step back, but it could be for the better.

The Titans had acquired 14 new players during the 2009-2010 season and doing so helped them elevate their play and compete in the higher level Div. II

league.

Fortunately, many of the new skaters were freshmen who would most likely contribute a few more years to the team.

Regardless, next season is not going to be easy.

“We have a lot of work to do,” said junior forward Chad Pelliccioni, a 24-year-old advertising major, “but we’re definitely going to be a lot stronger next season.”

This is true for both the team and the individual.

With spring tryouts just around the corner, this is an opportunity for not only the current players, but all other CSUF student prospects to prove themselves on the ice to represent their university.

“We will be better prepared next season,” said senior forward Blake Dorman, a 25-year-old history major.

With more practice and bringing in more talent during the off-season, this sounds like a likely scenario.

The team is always looking for support, on and off the ice.

Especially when it comes to raising funds to pay for league fees.

This past season, the club offered many different ways to support the team with a booster club offering a free T-shirt with any donation.

For every $100 donated, a season ticket was given for all Titan home games.

Titan home jerseys were also for sale upon order.

Any funds earned will support player equipment, training and travel expenses.

As each season is another step to building their success.

The Titan Ice Hockey club encourages those who have a passion for the sport and want to come out and help the Titan cause as an athlete or supporter.

The spring tryouts for the 2010-2011 season will take place Tuesday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. at KHS Ice Arena. The season will begin in September.