The first go-round in the GLHL went well for Shaker Heights head coach Matt Bartley and the Red Raiders.  They held their own in league play (5-4-1) before bowing out to University School, 4-1, in a Cleveland Cup Quarterfinal game.  Shaker ran into the Preppers again in the District semifinals and were eliminated, 4-3.  

The rivalry has carried over into this season as the Red Raiders and Preppers battled to a 0-0 tie on the opening weekend. 

“With an inexperienced team we have already had many ups and downs to start the season,” said Bartley.  “But we continue to improve and learn as we go forward, especially with our offense.  We need to capitalize more on our scoring chances, which really hurt us against US and against Walsh at the Thanksgiving Tournament.”

The returning players will likely be more comfortable this time around, but confidence is still something Bartley will be trying to build this season. 

“Overall, we have a young and/or inexperienced team,” said Bartley.  “Confidence is something we will need to focus on during the entire season.”

The Red Raiders move into Year Two in the GLHL with a junior-heavy roster that contains only one freshman – defenseman Ezaiyah Jolly – and three sophomores.  Despite the upperclassman-heavy roster, Shaker is still working a good number of players into its varsity roster.

The top four scorers from last year all graduated, leaving this year’s tri-captains, Logan Mears (11-4-15), Devin Campbell (5-9-14) and Dylan Shelton (1-11-12) as the top returning scorers along with fellow senior forward Evan Grossman-McKee (5-8-13).

While still young, both goaltenders gained varsity experience last year and showed well.  Junior Maxim Ehlers (8-5-4, 2.26, .894) and sophomore Garrett Ritts (4-2-0, 2.68, .885) give the Raiders some stability between the pipes.

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest