Duluth East drops first pucks under new head coach Steve Pitoscia
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It’s been nearly six months since Mike Randolph announced his resignation as head coach of the Duluth East boys hockey team after leading the program for 32 seasons.
On Monday the Greyhounds returned to the ice for the first time in a long time under a new head coach, Steve Pitoscia.
"At first we just have to learn to practice how we expect to practice, how this staff expects them to practice," Pitoscia explained. "Learning some new drills, learning what we do versus what they’ve done in the past. It’s really just getting used to us and starting to learn to trust us."
Getting a feel for the new team Pitoscia said they have a lot of strong forwards up front and good depth in net. His plan is to help Duluth East re-find their puck possession game in preparation for a tough Class AA, a bracket where the Greyhounds haven’t skated in a state tournament in three seasons.
Junior forward Cole Christian said, "hopefully it’s not a rebuilding season and hopefully we can get back to the state tournament."
Steve Pitoscia leads a meeting on the ice during the Duluth East boys hockey team's first practice of the 2021-2022 season Monday at the Duluth Heritage Center.[WDIO/Alicia Tipcke]
Senior forward Lars Berg added he’s, "excited to get back to the season. New coach, new beginning for everyone, and everyone’s ready to grind this season."
They’re set to open their season November 26th at White Bear Lake.