Fort Wainwright, ALASKA – Soldiers from Fort Wainwright and Fort Greely tried out for an Army hockey team Saturday, Jan. 11 with the intent of fielding a team to beat the Air Force in a match-up Feb. 28 in Fairbanks.
More than 40 soldiers tried out for the team and will continue to practice until game day, with the final team roster decided by Feb. 21.
Soldiers of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division are not only playing on the team, but coaching as well.
Maj. David Simms, executive officer for 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, assumed duties as the team’s head coach. Assisting Simms in his coaching duties are: 1st Lt. Joshua Miller, fire support officer for C Company, 1-24th Infantry, Capt. Caleb Goble, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment commander and Sgt. 1st Class Richard Carlson, C Company 3-21st senior noncommissioned officer.
Miller said the team has gotten a lot of support.
“I thought I was going to know most of the people that were going to show up,” said Miller, “but we had people just come out of the woodwork here in the brigade and even up from Fort Greely, so we ended up with a lot of support and a lot of talent so our team is looking really strong.”
Miller said he is friends with the Air Force team captain and he expects the game to be a lot of fun.