SEMO WILDCAT HOCKEY ORGANIZATION IS THRIVING

With the sounds of skate blades on ice, pucks echoing against the boards and sticks cracking against the ice, the sounds of hockey are unique.

And for those that ever play, the experience is like no other.

"When they get into it, it seems like there's not a lot that get out of it," said Bill Mercer, president of the local SEMO Wildcat hockey organization.

Mercer has been associated with the organization for four years and has seen a few love affairs develop for the game.

"It's much more of a team sport that some other ones and it's a very fast-paced game," said Mercer. "The kids develop much more of a team spirit because they practice two times a week."

They also spend a lot of time on the road, usually traveling to St. Louis for games.

"There's just more time together than some other sports where you just show up on Saturday and then go home," said Mercer.

The Wildcats, which features five age divisions, wind up another season this month. Practices started in the middle of October and the teams played 10-20 games over a three-month span.

The organization is comprised of Mite (8 and under), Squirt (9-10), Pee Wee (11-12), Bantams (13-14) and Midgets (15 and up).

Because the local rink, The Ice, is not regulation, Pee Wee, Bantams and Midgets play all their games on the road. The older teams do practice at The Ice.

The organization, sanctioned by USA Hockey, typically consists of about 60 kids, which Mercer said is a good number in regards to playing time.

"A lot of the teams up in St. Louis have 18-20 kids and each individual kid doesn't get to play a lot," said Mercer.

Mercer said the Wildcat organization is competitive as a whole.

"When it's all said and done, we'll have a .500 season," he said.

The organization attempts to make hockey as affordable as possible for the Mite team, where most youngsters are getting their first taste of hockey.

"With the young ones, we have equipment we can provide; not all of it, but a good chunk of it," said Mercer. "It's something we've tried to accumulate to help some people get started, because there's a little bit more to it than just buying a pair of shoes."

Mercer said it gives the youngster an opportunity to see if he likes the game without making a large financial commitment.

The Wildcats will be holding registration in August for next season. For more information about the Wildcats, contact Mercer at 651-5230.