The ice has disappeared in the Deborah F. Stanley Arena, and the usual afternoon practices from the Oswego State hockey teams have ended for another season. As both teams enter the off-season, the two groups prepare for workouts, meetings and summer skates away from the teams. 

One Laker who has not finished her 2021-22 season is Simone Bednarik, who has been preparing for a trip overseas to play for Slovakia in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s World Championship in France. Bednarik left April 16 to go practice with the team and prepare for their round robin play which starts this coming April 24.

The tournament will consist of 10 total round robin games as Slovakia will face off against France, Norway, Austria and the Netherlands. The squad will play one game against each opponent over the course of a week in the IceParc located in  France.

“We will be in the capital of Slovakia for a week before traveling by bus to Angers, France,” Bednarik said. “We will then train there for a few days until the games start. I have already been training with the girls here in Oswego and they have pushed me and helped me prepare for the trip. I am really honored to play for the team and get to play in France. I am fortunate to play games this late in the year unlike other girls at the collegiate level.”

Bednarik spent time in Slovakia this past fall as the forward tried out for the Olympic team. The freshman played in three games for the national team in the Olympic Qualifiers and stepped in on defense during her time overseas. Bednarik recorded one point, but the Slovakia squad did not qualify for the Olympics in Beijing.

The Laker would return to Oswego State to finish her freshman year with 20 games played and 14 total points. With six goals and eight assists, the forward made an impact in her first season in the green and gold. The rookie was named to the All-Rookie NEWHL team due to her performance over the course of the season.

Bednarik was asked to come back and join the team for the world championship without a tryout needed. The player looks forward to being able to represent her country once again on an ice sheet, along with her cousin who will be playing for the Slovakia men’s hockey team. 

“There is such a high level of hockey smarts at this level of the game,” Bednarik said. “I hope I can gain some experience and learn some hockey sense that I can bring back to Oswego. I want to learn some new skills for next season.”

Bednarik has been able to push the Lakers during her preparation for her trip to Europe. The player has been able to bring her fellow teammates into the gym and bring the level of compete up even after the 2021-22 season has already concluded. Head coach Mark Digby has talked about what he has told his players in preparation for the games overseas.

“There is not much I have told her besides continue to learn and grow,” Digby said. “The experiences she will gain from the trip will make her more mature and  she will be able to give these experiences back to her teammates next season. I told her to soak in every moment.”

For the Oswego State women’s hockey program, this is the first time an Oswego State women’s player has gone and played for her country’s team. This statistic shows the improvement and strives the program is making over the past few years. Digby takes this as a positive in terms of recruitment.

“Players have an interest with what we are doing here right now and bringing this program to the next level,” Digby said. “We will be able to do that by bringing in players that can already play at the next level and Simone is all of that. Players that are in the recruiting process can recognize that we have the resources to help players reach their potential on the ice, reach the potential in the classroom and enjoy their experiences in the community.”

The players have continued their workouts into the off season and the team has been able to meet once a week due to NCAA Leadership Development days. The group has been able to develop their personality for the next season prior to the recruiting class joining the team next year.

“We have never had this opportunity before here at SUNY Oswego,” Digby said. “This is allowing us to get a head start on next season and the personality of next year’s team to start to develop. This is a big advantage of years in the past as only the new players in the fall will have to learn the team dynamic and the players are taking advantage of that.”

The Lakers will return for their 24th season next September with the goal of heading back to the conference finals after falling to SUNY Cortland in the NEWHL semifinals round. The group is expected to start exhibition games in the middle of October.

William Rogers | The Oswegonian