|
|
|
It didn’t take long for Patrick Schafer to become a fan favorite.
Didn’t take long for the forward to endear himself to his Missouri Mavericks teammates or coach Scott Hillman, either.
Since Schafer arrived, the Mavericks are 8-3 and have lost only one home game.
“Patrick’s the glue, the missing link we’ve been looking for all season,” Hillman said of the 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward. “We added him to the third line and it all started to click.
“He, (Brandon) Smith and Coco (Brandon Coccimiglio) work so well together. They have this great chemistry and we put Lewie (Carlyle Lewis) or (Kris) Hogg out there and they don’t skip a beat.
“He’s a bright kid, he understands the game and he’s one of those players who make everyone out on the ice with him that much better.”
His new teammates feel much the same way about Schafer, who joined the team following a trade with Arizona.
“For some reason, everything just started to click when Schafie got here,” goaltender Charlie Effinger said. “He’s a very good player and a great addition to the locker room, everyone really likes him.”
Schafer made the rounds at a recent season-ticket party at Strikerz and found the fans to be as welcoming as his teammates.
“He’s one of my new boys,” gushed super fan Garland Strickland. “You watch him out on the ice and he doesn’t make any mistakes.
“I know Coach is working hard to build a team, and we’re on a real streak at home and are winning on the road. And Patrick has a lot to do with that.”
Schafer had no idea what to expect when he joined the Mavericks a few weeks ago.
“When you’re traded to a new team, you don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Schafer, who has 11 points in 10 games. “But this team is awesome. The players have really welcomed me, we have a great coach and the best fans I’ve ever played for.
“When this building gets rocking, it’s amazing out there. I’ve talked to a lot of guys on the team and they all told me about playing here, and they were right. There is no place I’d rather be.”
It didn’t take long for Patrick Schafer to become a fan favorite.
Didn’t take long for the forward to endear himself to his Missouri Mavericks teammates or coach Scott Hillman, either.
Since Schafer arrived, the Mavericks are 8-3 and have lost only one home game.
“Patrick’s the glue, the missing link we’ve been looking for all season,” Hillman said of the 5-foot-10, 185-pound forward. “We added him to the third line and it all started to click.
“He, (Brandon) Smith and Coco (Brandon Coccimiglio) work so well together. They have this great chemistry and we put Lewie (Carlyle Lewis) or (Kris) Hogg out there and they don’t skip a beat.
“He’s a bright kid, he understands the game and he’s one of those players who make everyone out on the ice with him that much better.”
His new teammates feel much the same way about Schafer, who joined the team following a trade with Arizona.
“For some reason, everything just started to click when Schafie got here,” goaltender Charlie Effinger said. “He’s a very good player and a great addition to the locker room, everyone really likes him.”
Schafer made the rounds at a recent season-ticket party at Strikerz and found the fans to be as welcoming as his teammates.
“He’s one of my new boys,” gushed super fan Garland Strickland. “You watch him out on the ice and he doesn’t make any mistakes.
“I know Coach is working hard to build a team, and we’re on a real streak at home and are winning on the road. And Patrick has a lot to do with that.”
Schafer had no idea what to expect when he joined the Mavericks a few weeks ago.
“When you’re traded to a new team, you don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Schafer, who has 11 points in 10 games. “But this team is awesome. The players have really welcomed me, we have a great coach and the best fans I’ve ever played for.
“When this building gets rocking, it’s amazing out there. I’ve talked to a lot of guys on the team and they all told me about playing here, and they were right. There is no place I’d rather be.”
