Miles away from Olentangy High school is a hockey team who has brought communities together as one. Since the school year has started the Chill team has continued. They are back on the ice and they put the work and effort into the games and practices. 

“I just love how everyone on this team is close with each other and how nice people are,” Luke Bracone said.

Columbus Chill hockey club is an organization the chiller ice rink offers for high schoolers  who want to get practice in before they start their high school season. Chill offers ten different hockey teams this year. These teams are made up of 16U and 18U. 16U is usually freshman and sophomores. While 18U is juniors and seniors. One of the 18U teams is the Chill Owls team. 

“We get along well. We have fun together and all work hard to win and push each other to be the best we can,” Jake Redin said.

These players on this Chill team also play on Olentangy High School’s hockey team. They are Bracone and Redin. They are both juniors. Bracone plays left or right wing, while Redin plays defense. Both of these boys play on a team called the Chill Owls 18U. These boys have both been with this community for some time and have gotten to experience the atmosphere. They enjoy how they get to make new friends and get to know more about others from different schools.

“My favorite part was when we beat the war cats 4-3 it was an intense game just a good atmosphere and just a good time and a good win,” said Bracone.

Chill’s community is open and meant as a way to make friends. In addition it helps to become close with others who have the same passion in hockey as you do. Chill wants players to feel as they are welcomed at all rinks and teams. They support players through their best and worst moments.

“I enjoy being able to play hockey with kids on other high school teams,” Griffin Buck said.

Buck also plays on the Chill Owl’s team. He is the team’s goalie and goes to Olentangy Orange High school. This year he is a current sophomore. Buck enjoys hockey because it is a way to escape reality, and he feels it keeps him in a good mindset and space in life. Hockey was one thing he grew up with since a little boy and wants to continue the sport. 

“My most memorable moment from this season is passing a jersey around after a game to the player of the game,” Buck said.

A MVP award is given to a player that played the best on the team after a tournament. Usually these tournaments involve three to four games. The player must play well and stand out for the rest of the team. The coach is the final determinative factor in who gets the MVP award. At a most recent tournament Buck did win a MVP award in Cleveland, Ohio. He played hard and made sure to give his team 110% effort. 

Drew White is a freshman who goes to Olentangy High School. White’s team won a tournament against the Three Outs Academy. This tournament White was awarded MVP. His position is right wing. White wanted to lead his team to victory by being a team player. White is a hard worker and wanted to see his team be successful in this tournament.

“I won MVP for my hard work and being a strong team player. I hope to play hockey at Olentangy in the winter.”

The Chill teams are meant as a way for players to connect with one another and bring people together to make a community.