For the roller hockey boys, it’s all about trust.

They trust that their teammates will be in the right place on the rink. They trust that, once they pass the puck, their teammates can, and will, make the shot. They trust that if a play turns sour, their team will be right there behind them to back them up.

However, for seniors Dylan Dixon, Kyle Clements and Willy Morrison, it’s more than just trust. It’s chemistry. It’s knowing one of them will be there to receive a pass, even without checking. It’s knowing that, when one of them takes it to the net, someone will drop back to play D. It’s knowing that someone has their back, no matter what. It’s the kind of chemistry that takes years to build.

“Our relationship goes beyond hockey,” Willy said. “It’s a lot deeper than just some friends on a team together.”

Their chemistry dates back 11 years, when they began playing on the same 8U travel roller hockey team, the Scorpions. Ever since then, the trio has played on the same team together, learning each other’s tendencies while becoming better friends and better players.

“When we were younger, we played a lot more individually,” Kyle said, looking back. “But we [gained] trust and now we know we can rely on each other.”

As their trust grew, they learned they could depend on each other for certain jobs, like snagging the rebound or taking face-offs. And they also learned that, if they were having an off-day, the other two would be there to pick up the slack.

“During the first playoff game against Cathedral Catholic, I wasn’t having a good game,” Dylan said. “But Kyle had five goals and four assists.”

“Yeah, usually if one of us is having an off day, the other two are there rippin’ it up,” Kyle said. “If someone’s having a bad game, the rest of us step up. When it comes down to crunch time, we’re straight business, especially during playoffs.”

Their growth together as a team and as friends wasn’t without results. With four consecutive CIF final games, including three consecutive championship wins, under their belt, the three have made their mark upon the game and each other.

“Yeah, it’s bittersweet,” Willy said. “It’s surreal. [The post-season hockey banquet] was the last time we were an actual team together. It’s just this is the last time that we’ll ever be playing as Wolverines.”

[Originally published in Vol. X of Currents]