Junior forward Reardan Sweeney threw down the gauntlet prior to the season, challenging his coach to maim his locks if the Crimson Tide made it to the postseason.
Not that Naumann didn’t have faith, but after a 1-17-2 record last season, it seemed like a harmless bet.
But as the Somerville game drew near, the Crimson Tide were rolling along with an 8-3-1 record, just three points away from reaching their goal.
“To boost the moral he said he’d get the Mohawk after the Somerville game if we won,’’ said Ryan Considine, a senior captain. “He upped the ante, and we came through.’’
With each of the five goals scored against Somerville, Considine skated to the bench and rubbed his glove across the top of his helmet to let his coach know what was coming.
Now the Crimson Tide are where they haven’t been in nine years, one point from clinching a spot in the postseason.
The Everett hockey program has been overshadowed by the success of the football team for nearly two decades. But Naumann (Class of ’92) is familiar with the successful hockey culture Everett once had when he played in the early ’90s.
“The GBL really went down after the Arlingtons and Peabodys and Walthams took off,’’ said Naumann. “It used to be one of the best leagues around, and unfortunately it’s not that way anymore. But we’re looking to at least bring back that hockey spirit from before, and I think we’re doing that.’’
This is Naumann’s third year leading the boys’ program, but he is no stranger to Everett High School hockey. Besides having played for Everett, he was the first coach of the girls’ team in 2002-03, and served in that role until taking over the boys’ team.
He also is no stranger to the Everett school system, having started as a middle school science teacher 12 years ago. He is now senior classmaster (in charge of discipline) at the high school, the perfect position to keep tabs on his players.
“We have study hall 2-3 times a week and make sure that these guys are doing their work,’’ said Naumann. “I also want these guys to bond, so we do things like have them wear their warm-up sweats to school on Wednesday, and dress nice, with ties, on Fridays. It makes them stand out as a team.’’
