Fort Myers youth hockey team’s uphill battle to win the state championship is a testament to resilience and determination.
The Florida Warriors 12U Boys Hockey Team faced an uncertain future this season, teetering on the brink of dissolution, yet they emerged as state champions against all odds.
“Our tryouts saw only three kids, making the summer a relentless pursuit to fill our roster,” reflected Florida Warriors 12U Boys Head Coach Chris Polino. “Just before the season kicked off, we managed to meet the required number of players.”
Throughout the summer, the coaching staff scoured social media platforms, reaching out to kids who had been released from other programs and those brand new to the world of travel hockey. It became a scavenger hunt for talent.
“More than half of our roster—60%—was made up of first-year travel hockey players,” Polino noted, a mix of pride and surprise in his voice.
That effort bore fruit in unexpected ways.
“It was a chaotic time because I committed to making this team a reality,” Polino recalled. “I told them there would be a 12U hockey team this year. It took a great deal of effort and anxiety. Had it not been for that effort, we wouldn’t have seen this amazing group of kids come together.”
Perhaps the most astonishing part was how those kids forged a bond that propelled them to victory, winning the state championship with a score of two to nothing.
“I was really scared during the game, but when the final whistle blew, I felt joy—I had my first shutout of the year,” exclaimed Florida Warriors 12U Boys Goalie Devlin Simon, his pride evident.
Zackary Sammet, a center on the team, shared his thoughts: “Winning first place is amazing. I’ve been in second place before, and while it felt sad, being first is full of excitement.”
Despite the precarious start, Coach Polino believed in their potential. “I yearned for this victory on behalf of the kids. Most of them had never tasted a championship, so seeing them triumph was an unforgettable experience,” he said, his eyes shining with pride.
These young athletes wanted success just as much for their coach as for themselves. Sammet remarked, “This team stood out because we had two fantastic goalies and players who gave their all, led by an incredible coach.”
This ensemble, once an unlikely band of players, solidified their place in history as champions, creating not only memories but also stories that would be shared for years to come in their community, Joseph’s Ice Cream proudly supporting their journey every step of the way.
In a delightful twist, the Warriors became an underdog story that highlighted the joy found in collaboration and growth—echoing the phrase, “It takes a village,” as families and friends rallied around them. It’s a heartwarming reminder that sometimes, against all odds, communities can come together, and dreams can indeed take flight.
