Havoc banks on key returners and a few newcomers to make another title run
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HUNTSVILLE – The Havoc, which came one win shy of a Southern Professional Hockey League championship last season, just may have the right combination of returners and newcomers for another run at the President’s Cup.
Huntsville’s minor league ice hockey team, which last year lost in the SPHL Finals to the Peoria Rivermen, has played in five championship rounds and won three titles (2010, 2018 and 2019).
“It’s going to be kind of flip-flopped,” coach Stuart Stefan said, comparing last season’s squad of 12 rookies to this year’s group of veterans. “Our biggest message to the guys is it’s not easy to get back there. We were right there.”
Indeed, they were. The Havoc won two playoff series — defeating Fayetteville and Roanoke —before losing in the finals.
Unlike last season, there are few rookies with mostly veterans coming back.
“Our organization and the city as a whole, it keeps guys coming back,” Stefan said.
Among the key forwards are Robbie Fisher, Buster Larsson, the Elgstam brothers and Cole Reginato, a top shot blocker.
Fisher is an assistant captain who set career highs of 17 goals and 26 points last season.
“Really excited to get Fish back,” Stefan said “He’s a huge part of our locker room and leadership group. We’re excited to see him continue where he left off in the playoffs.”
Larsson scored a team-high 19 goals and was second in points with 43 last season. He added seven goals and three assists in the playoffs.
“After we acquired him from Fayetteville, he became an impact player for us and was an offensive force,” Stefan said.
As for the Elgstam brothers, Phil tallied 17 goals and 24 assists as a rookie. Doug chipped in with 13 goals and 14 assists.
“Phil plays with a bit of physicality and has a knack for creating big moments offensively,” Stefan said. “Doug is a skilled player who brings offensive punch, and we’re excited to see how both of them can elevate their play this season.”
Another familiar face on the ice will be goaltender Mike Robinson who is back for a third season. He went 14-5 with a .918 save percentage year, which was interrupted with a callup to the East Coast Hockey League.
“Robo came in last season and helped solidify the net for us,” Stefan said. “He had a great run in the playoffs and we are looking for him to pick up where he left off.”
Anchoring the defense is team captain Dominick Procopio, who enters his fourth season with the Havoc. Mason Palmer was brought back for a second season to bolster the defense.
“Mason uses his size and physicality effectively, especially in tough areas,” Stefan said. “He kept getting better as the season went on and really stepped up in the playoffs.”
Joining Palmer on the blue line is newcomer Charlie Risk, who along with newly signed forward Zach Tyson is from Mont-Blanc in France.
“We are looking for Risk to come in and provide some offense from the backend for us,” Stefan said. “He is a good skater and moves the puck well.”
Defensemen Jeremy Gervais Connor Lovie and Brodie Thornton, the latter winning a national championship with Adrian College last season, also are newcomers. Gervais joined the Havoc at the end of last season
“He’s a great puck-mover and has a lot of offensive upside,” Stefan said of Gervais. “He only got a few games in last year between college and with us, we’re excited to get him into some games and see him grow.”
The coach described Lovie as “a relentless worker, tough as nails and he skates extremely well.”
Stefan is well-versed in championship play with the franchise. Following five years as an assistant coach he enters his second year as the team’s head coach. Before that the 38-year-old had a seven-year stint as a Havoc player and was part of the 2018 title team.
“There’s nothing that beats it; you’re on the ice, you’re in the fight,” he said of playing for a championship, adding that as a coach “It’s more just watching the guys and enjoying the moment.”
