Saugus may combine hockey programs

SAUGUS – The Saugus Athletic Director told members of the School Athletic Subcommittee that he will recommend to the full School Committee that they combine middle school hockey with junior varsity high school hockey.In addition, Athletic Director Mike Nelson told them he?s considering a plan to either combine the high school?s basketball and hockey cheerleading squads into one squad or reduce the amount of games the hockey squad cheers at.The subcommittee didn?t vote on either issue.?If we eliminate middle school hockey and we just have JV, we can have a middle-schooler play sub-varsity,” said Athletic Director Mike Nelson. “If you don?t have the middle school program, you can apply for a waiver if you have the numbers. Monetary-wise we can?t have both.”Nelson said most middle-schoolers already play in various leagues around the North Shore and in the Saugus Youth and Recreation League, so the elimination of the program won?t have a huge impact.Subcommittee member Jeanne Meuse said a combined team could benefit eighth-graders.?Some kids like to be brought up and get a feel for what the high school is all about,” said Meuse. “I think it bodes well if you?ve got kids that are interested because they get a foot in the door.”Since Saugus High School has both basketball and hockey cheerleading squads, Nelson said he will look into either combining both teams, eliminating the hockey cheer team or limiting its schedule to just home games.?I?m not in favor of cutting hockey cheering,” said Subcommittee Chair Bill Leuci. “We can tweak it and make it the same team who would do both sports.”Nelson said he will look into the issue further to see how the team could become self-sustaining.In other business, Nelson said Kasabuski Rink operator Dan Maniff told him they will be changing this year?s contract to make the school liable for any canceled ice time no matter what the reason.?It?ll be exactly the same document as last year, adding that piece,” said Nelson. “If we cancel a game we are responsible for those two hours.”But Nelson said he?s looking to add his own changes after the hockey team had to deal with a lack of heat and hot water at its 5:30 a.m. practices.?The heat?s not on the hot water is not working,” said Nelson. “It should be up and running when we get there or we shouldn?t pay or there should be a discounted price for the service that we?re getting. We?re not getting the same product that we?re getting at 6 o?clock on a Thursday night.”The full School Committee will meet on Thursday at 7 p.m.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter at @MattTempesta.