Alabama’s club hockey team intends to make this season special. With an 8-1 start, many would say the team is well on its way.

President Clay Link said the team still has a long way to go before it reaches its potential. Link said the team is lucky its record is not worse, considering the Frozen Tide has had trouble putting teams away when it should have.

“We have been taking a lot of penalties early on this season, and I believe that if we eliminate these mental mistakes we will be a very hard team to beat,” he said.

Link also said he expected growing pains this year.

“Throughout our program’s history, we often get off to a slow start because of the addition of a lot of new players,” he said.

Junior Andre Morard said this year’s team is more complete compared to last year’s, mainly because of the added depth. Morard said November is a big test for the team.

“This upcoming weekend against Arkansas is always a great weekend because of the past rivalry,” Morard said. “We also have important games against Georgia and South Carolina.”

The team said they hope a strong November showing will put them in a position to win the national title.

“Since we are hosting the national tournament this year in Pelham, this would be an incredible year to win our school’s first national title,” Link said.

Morard said the team needs both the drive and will to dominate.

“This team can be special if we can continue to be focus [sic] and to have our goals in mind,” he said.

Link echoed his teammate’s sentiments.

“[We need to] realize how talented we are,” Link said. “Having that perfect blend of swagger and confidence will provide us with the necessary tools to be competitive.”