A long ride to practice every afternoon is not the only drive that members of the boy’s ice hockey team possess.

In addition to their drive to the rink, the boys also have a drive to win that they claim is unparalleled by any other team. Their dedication to the sport that they love is apparent in their attitude and determination.

“We give up so much time just to commute every day and play the sport we love. Our dedication forces our drive to win more than any other sports team,” said Captain Aaron Liu ’12.

The team, like most others, has practice every day after school. However, players have to travel to the rink, leaving right when school ends and not getting home until around 7:00 p.m. every night. On game nights, they usually start playing at 6:00 or even as late as 8:00 p.m. The time commitment for the boys is huge, but as Liu says, “it’s all worth it.”

Captain Riley McDonald ’12 explained that the time commitment is by far the most challenging part of being on the team. “It can be tough to balance academics and hockey at times, but we all find ways to be successful,” he said.

Despite the tough balancing act that the hockey players must deal with, the members of the team said they become close with the amount of time they spend together on a daily basis.

“I think my favorite aspect of the team is the bonding time because it is unlike any other team. We spend four hours a day together, and it brings the team very close,” Liu said.

The team struggles each year to get enough players to even make a team; Staples co-ops with both Weston and Shelton.

“We hardly have enough players to have a team but we make the most of what we have,” Liu said.

Since it draws from different schools, the team is forced to get to know one another even more. “I am friends with a couple of the kids from school, but on the team I have become close with so many kids that I would have never met otherwise,” McDonald said.

“My favorite aspect of being on this team is the diversity of kids who come from different towns; I enjoy meeting and playing with new people each year. We all view each other as friends, and I personally have grown close to my Westport and Shelton teammates,” said captain Forrest Savage ’12, a player from Wilton.

The chemistry that the members create is so important to the team’s performance both on and off the ice.

“For me the team aspect makes me feel like I’m a part of something bigger,” Liu said. “Every player on the team plays a vital role towards the success of the unit.”

“The games is very fast-paced and physically demanding,” Savage said. It becomes vital that the team gets along well; it enhances their performance in games.

For this year specifically, the team looks hopefully to the rest of their season. McDonald said that the team is already off to a good start, even after losing some important seniors to graduation last year.

“Some new guys have needed to step up. I think we are doing a pretty good job so far, but we need to keep working hard and remain focused on our team goals,” he said.

As the playoffs near, the team hopes that their determination will bring them farther than ever.

“It is very common for Staples teams to fight for every win in season and that’s what we are doing so far this year,” Liu said. “We may not be the best team, but we are going to work the hardest.”