The Hopkins boys hockey team is optimistic about the upcoming season.

“I think that compared to last season we will win more games. The team has a lot more depth this year, and we’ll have all three lines scoring. Also we have better chemistry this year,” said Matt Hines, senior captain.

Last year the Royals fell short of their expectations for their season. The team’s record was 8-12, and they finished 4th in the Lake Conference.

“This year we have a lot more experience than we did last year. We’re older than we were last year, and we have experienced younger players that are coming back for their second year,” said Josh Laven, senior captain.

The year’s team is older and wiser. Only two starters graduated last year, leaving the new team with 5 returning starters and 10 seniors overall.

“This summer, the team went to Velocity hockey center. We worked out every Tuesday and Thursday at seven in the morning. On top of that, we skated Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday which was hard, but it was good training to get us prepared for the season,” Hines said.

The toughest part of this season for the Royals, as in past years, will be the conference matches. The Lake Conference hockey teams have a reputation for being some of the best teams in the state. One of the most challenging opponents the Royals will face this year is the Edina Hornets, a team that has won the state championship for the past two years.

“The conference is always tough, but this year it should be interesting. They’re going to be close games that are fun to watch and I’m excited to see what our team can do this year,” said Laven.

The Royals will have their first game against Coon Rapids tonight.

“The boys and I are definitely ready for Coon Rapids. We’ve been working hard, and we’re itching to play,” Hines said.