By Tyler Maheu, Staff Sportswriter
The girls hockey program at Woodstock Union High School is entering the 2025-2026 winter season with a bare-bones roster and in the middle of a rebuild.
At the helm for his 12th season will be head coach Ian Coates. The two-time champion became involved with hockey in Woodstock in 2010, helping with the town’s youth hockey program. He took over at the high school level in 2013 and has stayed since.
After back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, the team took a step back last year. “We knew heading into last season that the program would have a few rebuilding years ahead,” said Coates. “We had recently graduated a strong senior class, and over half the team had just a few years of youth hockey under their belts.” Several girls joined the team with no prior experience.
According to Coates, Woodstock’s youth program was aware of a gap in female student athletes coming, and has put in hard work to revitalize the girls program. “This is not my first round of rebuilding with this varsity program, and while we may not be competing at the highest level, the girls that have returned have the aptitude, grit, and passion to work hard and show what they can do,” he said.
This year’s team will have what assistant coach Leanne Tapley described as “Basically the minimum number of players needed,” with 10 skaters and one goalie. “We have low numbers, which means a big concern is potential illness this winter,” explained Coates. “We have been here before, though, and I know we will figure it out.”
Athlete Joey Palazzo will look to recapture her success from last year, when she was named the team’s MVP. “I’m excited to see what she does for the team this year,” Coates said.
The team’s season begins this Saturday, Dec. 12, at Champlain Valley Union School in Hinesburg. Champlain Valley, Spaulding, and U-32 are expected to be some of the Wasps’ toughest competition this season.
