Winter '19-20: 'Stangs ready to skate

(Fourth in a series of winter previews for 2019-20).

It is a Mullen ice hockey team that has been working through a rash of challenges heading into the 2019-20 season.

And they were unexpected; just some scenarios the Mustangs must deal with and overcome.

For one, arguably their top player headed to a prep school on the East Coast. For another, a promising Mustang opted for another level of playing. For yet another, touted senior goalie Connor Mahon may not be at full strength to start the season after suffering a knee injury, so coach Devon Brady had to land a goalie from another school that doesn’t offer the game.

Also, the Mustangs will not field a junior-varsity team this season.

So much for the high expectations Mullen had after working hard the past few seasons to establish its program in a sport that continues to take off on the schoolboy level in Colorado.

“Hopefully, we have finally hit rock bottom,” Brady deadpanned.

Seriously, he added, “we would have had high aspirations,” but currently the Mustangs are more focused on re-establishing themselves and working toward getting into the playoff bracket as they did a year ago.

“Getting back there is a priority for us,” the coach said.

At the beginning, juniors Robby Witwer and Nick Gilbert, and sophomore J.C. Carter begin with chances to be the Mustangs’ top forwards. Aidan Cashman should head the defense and goalie Alex Covi has been brought on to help until Mahon, one of the best in the state, is at full strength.

And with Mullen having its concerns heading into the season, Brady suggested other programs within the Highlands Conference also have holes to fill. Denver East may top the group with Heritage also in the mix. The Mustangs, Chatfield, Columbine and Kent Denver will be fighting it out to give the conference its depth.

“We should be able to compete,” Brady said.

There will be home-and-away games within the conferences and the regular season will end on Feb. 22.

Concerning the postseason, there are 24 spots available in the playoff bracket. The first round will be Feb. 25-26 and the championship game will be March 5 at the Pepsi Center.