First ice hockey squad in Academy’s history. (Courtesy/Carrie Gwin)

Juniors: Keenan Bellisari, Gunnar Geiger, Oscar Giller, David Li, Aidan Macchia, Greyson Noblitt, Jacob Sardo, Tyler Schlonsky, and Cole Walker. Freshmen: Luke Budzik, Max Crane, Patrick Daly, Andrew Golden,Campbell Gwin, and Nate Rausch.

Columbus Academy’s newest sport’s program is looking to make a name for itself in the upcoming inaugural season. Though ice hockey did not have enough numbers to form a team in recent years, a rise in popularity for the sport in the Vikings’ community has helped the players’ dreams of playing for their school become a reality. 

With a new program comes a new coach, and 26-year old Corey Taber is ready to take on the challenge. His personal ice hockey background includes being named the captain of the Ohio AAA Bluejackets team in the Midwest League. He also captained the varsity squad at Westminster School in Connecticut. 

Taber expects big things from his squad, saying, “I want to garner some interest in hockey from kids in the school since it wasn’t a school sport prior to this year. In terms of the league, we have high expectations. We have a solid base of guys who have played varsity and other levels of hockey in the past.”

Though he calls the shots, Taber says that his co-captains have been a huge help to him and to the program. Juniors Gunnar Geiger and Cole Walker both were instrumental in the team’s creation and are expected to be leaders on the ice. 

Taber said, “Cole and Gunnar grabbed the leadership role and ran with it. They have helped kids learn how to skate and helped them understand the game better. Gunnar served as the systems-type coach, and Cole was the one-on-one skills coach. On and off the ice, they have gotten kids interested and excited about the sport.”

The season begins with a clash against the Dublin Scioto Irish at the Ice Works Chiller on Saturday, November 18 a 7:30pm.