Wenatchee welcomes the new 2013-2014 Wild hockey team, including four new Wenatchee High School players. The WHS players include seniors Nick Rivera, Chase Penny, Chris Koukis, and Trey Bradley.

“All of us players are just getting to know each other right now,” said Bradley, “But so far my experience (at WHS) has been really good.”

Bradley’s hometown is Tampa, Florida, but is living in Wenatchee for the hockey season and attending school.

For many players like Bradley, they have been living away from home for many years.

“This is my third year living away from home to play hockey and it doesn’t get any easier,” said Bradley. “Not being able to see your family every day is hard, but you get to live with a family up here and they become your new family.”

The team also has three players from Eastmont High School, seniors River Rhymsha, Parker Tuomie, and Gadel Gumerov. All other members of the team have graduated high school.

Players on this year’s team have traveled to Wenatchee to play for the Wild from not only all over the country, but also from Russia, Germany, Sweden, and Canada.

The coaching staff includes Head Coach Bliss Littler, and assistant coaches Tom Rudrud and Chris Clarke.

Littler is nothing shy of a worthy candidate for the new coaching position. “The old manager contacted me and asked if I’d be interested,” said Littler. “I’ve coached this level and above the last 25 years.”

Littler holds USA Hockey’s Junior A Tier I and Tier II all-time record for career wins with 577 total wins.

“The coaches are fantastic and all three coaches know what they are doing and are putting us in the best possible place to be successful,” said player Rhymsha, who attends EHS. “We have only been going here for a few weeks and already we have improved… That is all on the coaching.”

The 2012-2013 Wild team was moved to Hidalgo, Texas, and became the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. This was due to the expiration of the team’s five-year contract with the Town Toyota Center.

Without any returning players, the Wild team is starting fresh. Therefore, Littler says one of his main goals is team building. “With all of the traveling we do, it’s a great chance for bonding,” said Littler. “We’re just hoping to get better each week.”

“One of our goals is to move as many kids on to college as we can,” said Littler. “We just want to get a lot of these kids prepared enough to play at the college level.”

Both the players and the new coaches seem optimistic about the upcoming season. “We have a great group of guys and everyone gets along great,” said Rhymsha. “As a team we are ready to get the season going.”

The opening game against Minot is on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7:05 p.m at The Town Toyota Center.

According to Bradley, altough they have a very young team this year, they are not lacking skill and continue to get better every day.

“I think our chances against Minot are very good,” said Bradley. “It will be a great game to watch.”