Feature Story

---

Spirits high in St. Louis

By Brian McDonough

Having the entire month of January off might have been just what the doctor ordered for the St. Louis Lightning as it recharges its batteries for the last month and a half of the regular season.

“There’s no doubt that we have the toughest travel schedule in our league, and this time is allowing us some much needed rest,” said Lightning coach-GM Kory Haywood, whose team will return to the ice on Feb. 1, to host the Wisconsin Mustangs for a three-game set.

With only six wins after 39 games, the Lightning has struggled to find the win column this season. That, however, has not demoralized spirits in St. Louis’ camp.

“Normally, looking at a record like ours, you’d expect to be extremely frustrated with a lot of dissention within the team, but there’s none of that going on here,” said Haywood. “Our players have continued to battle and have not given up.”

With one of the youngest teams in the entire MJHL – the Lightning boasts 11 1990- and 1991-borns on its rosters – opportunities abound for a number of players who are looking to advance to higher levels of junior hockey as well as college.

Haywood reports that defenseman Sean Gammage has received inquiries from several NAHL teams for next season, while a number of Lightning plan on attending Tier II camps, including forwards David Coleman, Drew Schmelig and Mark Kirksey; defenseman Steven Morgan; and goaltenders Corey Rickermann and Kyle Enderle.

“That and a number of players are looking to go to school and are still trying to figure out where they’ll be attending,” said Haywood.

With every player showing signs of improvement this season, third-year forward Tyler Tesson stands out among the rest. Tesson, who didn’t have more that six points in either of his first two seasons with the Lightning, is one of the league’s leading scorers this year with 35 points (21 goals).

“Tyler has been unbelievable as a leader and player this season,” said Haywood. “He’s brought out not only the best in himself, but has made his linemate, R.C. Martin, a better player.”

Martin, a veteran, has centered St. Louis’ first unit all season with Tesson along for the ride.

“They’ve been our most dangerous line,” said Haywood.

Another pleasant surprise has been the evolution of defenseman Barclay Berner. A tryout walk-up coming into the season, the 18-year-old has proven to be the Lightning’s best defenseman.

“He’s possibly improved the most of any player I’ve ever been around throughout the course of a season,” said Haywood. “He’s been a physical force on the blue line for us.”

The consummate team player, Berner has also played through several injuries to keep St. Louis’ defensive corps balanced in numbers.

“He’s a leader that will hopefully step into Tesson’s shoes after he ages out next season.”

The Lightning knows it won’t be easy, but it still has hopes of climbing out of the cellar. Wherever it finishes, however, the progress the entire team has made this year has already made the season a success.

“We’re not a disappointment,” said Haywood. “We have work to do as a program to continue our improvement, but the players have come a long ways since the beginning of the year.”

Let’s Play Hockey wants to publish your hockey stories. From tournament reports, to feature stories on teams, players or coaches, to opinion pieces on the game of hockey, Let’s Play Hockey accepts submissions from readers throughout the hockey community. To submit your hockey story and/or photo(s), e-mail us at editor@letsplayhockey.com.