Valerino takes charge on the ice

By Sam Ranard

The UK hockey team has been getting better every year, and so has senior forward Tony Valerino. The fifth year senior  has led the Cool Cats since he was a freshman. Now Valerino is in his fifth and final year and is looking to end his career strong.

Valerino, a Pittsburgh native, has been a leader and factor for the Cool Cats since he came to UK. The club’s general manager, Ian Ward, has had the opportunity to watch Valerino play and improve throughout his entire college career.

“He came out of Pittsburgh with a good reputation,” Ward said. “And he has left every season an improved player.”

Valerino suffered an injury that left him out for half of a season and was missed by his teammates.

“He was out for health reasons. He could skate but couldn’t play,” Ward said. “Hell, we missed him like heck.”

Valerino came back off his injury without a hitch and played like he had never been injured before.

Now, Valerino is back and healthy for the 2009-10 season. Because the senior was out with an injury, he would still have a semester of eligibility left after the 2010 season but has opted to graduate and not play the additional semester.

This year’s team will have a 21-man roster. Valerino said the club has some new talent coming in that could really change the dynamics of this year’s team.

“We picked up two new defenders and they will add a lot of speed,” Valerino said.

Included on the incoming freshmen list is Dylan Rohar. Rohar, like Valerino, is from Pittsburgh and was coached by Valerino’s father.

“He’s a pretty good player,” Valerino said about Rohan. “I think he will definitely help the team.”

Ward is not looking forward to Valerino leaving after this season but has high expectations in this year’s freshmen class. Ward is hoping he might find another Valerino-esque player out of the incoming freshmen.

“I’m expecting a few pleasant surprises,” Ward said.  “As far as who it’s going to be, I don’t know.”

Valerino has high expectations for this year’s squad and hopes for another season of strong support from the fans.

“This year we can really make a run,” Valerino said. “We didn’t lose many games and have a lot of home games. We have a reputation of having good fans around the league. Other teams like to play here because of our fans and playing at midnight.”

The Cool Cats open the season with their first game on Sept. 18 vs. NCAA Division I opponent Niagara University. In typical Cool Cats fashion, the puck drops at midnight at the Lexington Ice Center.  Niagara will be an early but solid game to let the club know where they stand and how well they can compete against a Division I team.

“In my opinion, we will be as good or better than last year, but I’m an eternal optimist,” Ward said. “It’s looking pretty good. Niagara will be a good test to see where we are.”