Hockey coach returns to alma mater

By Desi Burns

Staff Writer

After five years as an assistant coach for the Shores varsity hockey team, Chris Benedict has a new title: head coach.

“I’m excited to take this program to the next level and get it back to where it once was, a state powerhouse,” said Benedict, who has spent much of his life in the Shores hockey program, first as a player for one season, 1998-99, and then as an assistant coach, 2014-2019.

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work, but we have some very dedicated and talented student-athletes that have the same thought in mind.”

One advantage to Benedict, who replaced Dan Quaine, is that he has been around some of the athletes, including his son freshman Trent Benedict, in previous seasons while coaching for travel programs.

“Coach Benedict has coached me before for travel programs,” freshman Jake Nanna said. “The main difference between the programs is that (the Shores’ program) is taken a lot more seriously. We are held more accountable and have bigger goals. Coach Benny knows who can be screamed at, and it will benefit them. He also knows who needs to just be sat down and talked to.”

Benedict said he knows that there are many things he needs to change, and a major goal for the season is to have a better bond among the athletes. Benedict said he hopes to make a program that is good both in and outside of hockey. Not only do they want to be better athletes, but they want to be better people as well.

But Benedict knows that no matter what happens off the ice, it will be the on-ice performance that people will notice more.

“I think we have a lot of potential to do well this season,” Benedict said.