As with every year, this is the spot I want to share my thoughts on what I would wish for going ahead into the next season. The obvious ones aren’t there– like get back to the Robertson Cup and win it all– because it’s too obvious. These are more on what I would want to happen in general with the team. As always, this is done without any inside knowledge or influence whatsoever, just hopes.
1. Returnees Make the Difference: This past season, the Black Bears were able to return plenty of players from the 2023 Robertson Cup playoff run. Those players had a taste of what it was like to play deep into the year and how to navigate through the season’s ups and downs. The only problem with being successful is players moving up in hockey and players moving out of junior hockey. If the Black Bears can keep four or five players from this year’s team to be a guiding light into the 2024-25 season, it could give this team the mentality of going after a three-peat.
2. Bring in State Heritage: Specialty jerseys cost money, yes. That said, it would be fun to see the Black Bears take the ice in a made-up heritage jersey to chronicle Maryland’s hockey past. One idea I had that I’ll have to photoshop at some point (unless someone wants to take this idea and run with it) is using the Black Bears’ head to put on the Baltimore Clippers mariner’s body, all on the Baltimore Skipjacks black and yellow jersey template. The Old Bay jerseys are awesome to connect the team with the state spice, but maybe another state-linked jersey wouldn’t be so bad.
3. Bigger Target, Bigger Reward: It’s hard to win a division two times in a row, much less three. Especially given that the East Division will expand with another team next year in Elmira. The Black Bears will have a big target on them to not get a third straight divisional playoff title. However, that’s where players can strive and with the right line-up in place; maybe a third time in Blaine will be a charm for the Black Bears. It’s a long season and anything can happen, even the Black Bears going to Blaine for a third straight year.
Clutch And Crab Hockey 