Interview with CM Hockey Defenseman Phil Rossi '09--by Kevin Walsh '09

The 2009 Hockey season is in full swing and the varsity team (6-3-3) is looking to bring home the first state championship banner in that sport since 2004.

I posed a few questions to senior defenseman, #13 Phil Rossi and I asked him a couple questions about the season and what he thought about the Knights' chances.

Q: What were your expectations for the season this year?
A: We were looking for the same thing as we are every year we step onto the ice. To be the best and to bring back another state championship and win the Catholic Conference.

Q: How did the team look at the beginning of the season?
A: We looked good, judging from our scrimmages with Mt. St. Charles and Fairfield Prep. We move the puck well and we have a strong couple of lines. As long as everyone steps up and does their job, I think we should be good.

Q: How is this year's team different from last year's?
A: We need a lot of kids to step up on defense. Last year, we had a strong D with Pete [Starrett '08, Harvard '12]. We also have a lot more experience at forward with a lot of kids who returned from last year.

Q: Is having a lot of young talent helpful this year?
A: It can help and hurt us. There will be mistakes made, but it is how we learn from the mistakes that will help us become a strong and successful team.

Q: How does the Conference look this year?
A: It's up for grabs. There's no one team that is really dominating. Everyone has a chance to take first this year.

Photo courtesy Linda Rossi P'06 and '09. View more photos of the team by visiting the CM Photo Gallery.