New street hockey teams test their mettle in Raleigh

BY BETH ARCHIE
FOR THE SALISBURY POST

Welcome the Carolina Street Stormers — Salisbury’s two new street hockey teams.

Sponsored by the Carolina Hurricanes National Hockey League team, city recreation departments across the state introduced street hockey at the beginning of this year.

This weekend they’ll go to Raleigh to test their mettle against teams from other cities.

Coaching the Salisbury teams are Nevin Daryani, Ernie Pages and Raymond Williams.

Practice started the first week in January after the coaches introduced the sport to the kids at the Miller Recreation Center, City Park and the Civic Center. As many as 60 children have participated at one or more sessions.

The Street Stormers’ slogan is: “All it requires is a pair of tennis shoes.”

Nike and Franklin Sports donated all the equipment the local teams need. Altogether, Nike, Franklin Sports and the recreation centers have donated about $6,000 for the new program.

The children need no money to play on the teams, compete in tournaments or attend street hockey clinics given by Carolina Hurricanes’ Brian Mehm.

The teams are divided into two age brackets: 8-10 and 11-13.

Members of the 8-to-10-year-old team are: Damario McHenry, Christopher Boyd, Adam Geiger, Jaquan Morris, Hannah Edwards, Ben Neal, Mariann Dandison, Tervan Price, Phil Tonseth and Handen Edwards.

Members of the 11-to-13-year-old team are: Claymore Jones, Antonio Morris, Josha Morris, Andrew Dandison, Jason Dulin, Simone Joyner, Clint Riddle, Jamel Price and Kia Price.

Any child who fit the age requirements and whose parents allowed him or her to compete in Raleigh made the team.

Besides the city’s recreation centers, coaches recruited youth through advertisements in the Post and fliers to the elementary and middle schools.

Both teams go to Raleigh on Saturday and Sunday for the statewide playoffs.

The competition starts with 30 other teams on Saturday. If the Salisbury teams advance, they will play again in the final tournament on Sunday, where all teams are invited back as guests of the Carolina Hurricanes to see the Hurricanes play the New York Islanders.

The team that wins Sunday will go on to compete in the Southeast regional street hockey competition.

In preparation for the tournament, the teams have practiced every week since January. The teams and coaches also will enjoy a rally, party and cookout at City Park today, sponsored by Frank Brooker of Salisbury Housing Authority.