The Walsh Jesuit Warriors are icing a young team for the second year in a row.  New head coach Pete Calleri has a young group to work with but 16 of his players have varsity experience so the team is poised to take a step this season.

Pat McKendry stepped down following the 2018-19 season after 15 seasons at the helm of the Warriors.  Former assistant Calleri has moved into the head position while Bill Beard and George Wright will serve as assistants. 

The Warriors have only one senior on the roster—forward Nate Colasanti – but with nine forwards, five defensemen and two goalies among the returnees, the Warriors are going to be a tougher out than they were a year ago when they took some lumps in league play (3-7-0) but were more competitive in the second half of the season.

Goaltenders Zach Firment and Brodie Lerch are back after being thrown into the fire as freshmen.  Both performed admirably to fill the void left by four-year starter Jakhari Desphy, who moved on to the ACHA program at Ohio State.

Charlie Huscroft, Hunter Nalepka and Nate Colasanti will serve as captains this year.

“We expect Nate Colasanti, our lone senior, as well as our junior class to step up this season,” said Calleri.  “We have some skilled freshmen that should work their way into the lineup as well.”

With seven new forwards joining the roster, more growing pains are likely, but Colasanti started leading the way already, notching a hat trick at the Thanksgiving Tournament.

Calleri identified the league opener against Shaker (5-4 loss) and the Thanksgiving Tournament (won two of three) as key measuring sticks for his team right out of the gate. 

The early returns are mixed, but the program is positioned well as it moves into a new era with a young, but experienced, roster and a new, but familiar, head coach.

Calleri is ready and believes his players are too.

“With this being my first season at head coach, the learning curve will be a bit steep,” Calleri admitted.  “But I expect our team to play with energy and compete with everyone we face off against.”

--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest