A year ago, the Olentangy High School hockey team was no doubt the biggest surprise in the Capital Hockey Conference.

Olentangy, a first-year varsity program, won almost two-thirds of its league games despite competing mostly against teams with five to 10 years of experience. The Braves were near .500 overall and even advanced to a district quarterfinal before losing 5-0 to Dublin Coffman, which went on to reach a district final.

Olentangy players and coaches know they won't catch anyone off guard this season, but they have reason to expect even better results. First of all, coach Mazin Habash said the transition from competing as a club sport to a varsity sport was tough for some players last season and that his players seem to have a better understanding of the expectations this year.

"It was kind of a tough transition because of being in that atmosphere of club their whole life and then having this quick change to high school," Habash said. "I think it was a little easier for the younger kids to get into the swing of things versus the older kids. Those older guys did a great job for us last year, but I think the chemistry will maybe mesh a little better this year with that in mind."

The Braves also have added a few new players with travel hockey experience, along with a new coach who brings a depth of knowledge of the game. Rob Sangster now is serving as co-head coach along with Habash, and he has helped the Braves improve their fundamental skills across the board.

"He brings so much to our team," junior Connor Laughlin said. "There were kids on our team who haven't been able to hold their stick right, and now they can shoot the puck and skate well. They're a lot better than they were before because he's trained them. I think our team is better (than last year)."

Last season, Olentangy finished 14-19-2 overall and were third in the CHC-Blue Division at 10-6 with 20 points, behind Liberty (15-1, 30) and Dublin Jerome (13-2-1-0, 27) and ahead of Upper Arlington (6-8-1-1, 12), Thomas Worthington (4-10-1-1, 10) and Dublin Scioto (0-15-0-1, 1). The Braves lost 4-3 to St. Charles in a quarterfinal of the Blue Jackets Cup.

In the district tournament, Olentangy had a first-round bye before upsetting Cincinnati Sycamore 3-1 in the second round.

The Braves expect to be strong at all spots on the ice. Defensively, Olentangy is led by senior Josh Allenstein, a returning letterwinner, along with junior Dylan Baker and sophomore Woody Wallace. Also expected to contribute as defensemen are junior Justin Marcum and freshmen Nick Schrader and Drew Woitovich.

In goal, senior A.J. Presas, the returning starter, will be pushed by junior newcomer Trevor Sangster. Habash said he expects the goalies to battle for playing time throughout the season.

"We're looking at equal contribution on their parts," Habash said.

"A.J. and Trevor, both of them are going to be the backbone of our team."

Laughlin leads a group of returning players at forward, although he will see action at defense as well.

Along with Laughlin, juniors Andrew Stegmann and Lars Vangen saw significant action last season. Junior Tyler Sangster, sophomores Avery Moore, Matt Hilty and Josh Stein and freshman Casey Stanley also are expected to make an impact this season.

Habash said he expects Baker and Wallace will provide some scoring as defensemen.

At a glance

•Coach: Mazin Habash, second season

•Opener: Dec. 4 at Sylvania South-view

•Key players: Dylan Baker, Connor Laughlin, A.J. Presas, Trevor Sangster, Tyler Sangster and Woody Wallace

Schedule

Dec. 4 at Sylvania Southview

Dec. 5 at Toledo Central Catholic

*Dec. 18 vs. Thomas Worthington (Chiller North)

*Dec. 19 vs. St. Charles (Chiller North)

*Dec. 20 vs. Olentangy Liberty (Chiller North)

Dec. 26 at Findlay Tournament

*Jan. 2 vs. Worthington Kilbourne (Chiller North)

*Jan. 8 vs. Dublin Coffman (Chiller in Dublin)

*Jan. 9 vs. Gahanna (Chiller North)

*Jan. 10 vs. Cincinnati Moeller (Chiller North)

Jan. 15-17 at Pittsburgh MLK Tournament

*Jan. 23 vs. Watterson (Chiller North)

*Jan. 24 vs. Dublin Jerome (Chiller in Dublin)

*Jan. 29 vs. Dublin Scioto (Chiller in Dublin)

*Feb. 5 vs. Olentangy Orange (Chiller North)

*Feb. 6 vs. Upper Arlington (Chiller North)

*Feb. 7 vs. DeSales (Chiller at Easton)

Feb. 11-14 Blue Jackets Cup (Ice Haus)