MONROE — The Cheesemakers return nearly its entire team from a year ago. That experience will be looked at to improve on its 4-18-2 overall record and 1-10-1 finish in the cellar of the Badger South.

The Monroe Co-op, which stands at seven schools, will have five seniors, seven juniors, eight sophomores and one freshman. Sophomore Cade Janecke, the team’s scoring leader from a season ago, will not return, as he is playing for the Madison Capitols U-16 Minors this season.

“One of our team goals for this year is to work hard and be better hockey players every time we go on the ice, whether it is practice or a game,” said first-year head coach Barry Einbeck. “My expectation for this team is for the players to always compete and work hard every time they step on the ice.”

Luke Kuberski, a sophomore from Argyle, returns as the scoring leader for the Cheesemakers with six goals in 20 games a season ago. Senior Colton O’Connor (Orangeville) and sophomore Hayden Roth (Orangeville) are the returning points leaders with 13 points (five goals, eight assists each). 

Also returning is junior goalkeeper Heath Bear (Monroe), who played nearly 90 percent of the time in net last season with an 86.8 save percentage. Bear faced 698 shots in 23 games (30.3 shots per game, 4 gpg). Sophomore backup Jayden Johnson (Argyle) also returns with an 85.7 save percentage.

“We need to be better in our defensive zone,” Einbeck said. 

Putting the puck on net has not been one of Monroe’s fortes recently. Last season the Cheesemakers put 590 shots on goal, but only 43 made it past the goalie (.927 save percentage). Having traffic in front of the net for either deflections or to impair the goalie’s vision would go a long way in producing offense. In all, Monroe was outscored 111-43 in 23 games (4.62-1.79) last season, and two of the Cheesemakers’ four wins were in overtime and all four wins came at home.

“Offensively, we need to create more scoring opportunities by getting more pucks to the net and more traffic in front of their goalie,” Einbeck said.

Falling behind early is another trait that needs to be shored up. Monroe was outscored 31-4 in the first period, and 47-17 in the second.

While the Cheesemakers are relatively young, the varsity experience many gained last season and their overall speed and agility could benefit them this year.

“Three strengths come immediately to mind – first being our team speed, second being our ability to outwork other teams and the third strength is our goaltenders,” Einbeck said. “Our team will be challenged with the ability to work through adversity. We are a young team and we need to be able to put things behind us and keep working hard.”

While the Cheesemakers look to climb the conference ladder, Einbeck said he knows there is one team that will have a target on its back all season.

“I expect Edgewood to be at the top — they won the conference last year. Edgewood has a good group of kids and they are coached very well,” Einbeck said.