Polar Bears set date for annual alumni game

Seems the SRJC Hockey team isn't ready to close the books on this year just yet, announcing today that it will play one final game before officially capping the 2015-16 season.

Polar Bears from the last decade of SRJC Hockey will suit up at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, March 25 at Snoopy's Home Ice for another exciting blue and white alumni game. Fans can expect to see several big names returning to their old stomping grounds, with a couple familiar faces from the rebranding years highlighting this year's alumni squad.

The Russian Rocket, Alexi Kulikowskiy, is coming back to show David Lundgren how to properly wear the No. 10 jersey. Kulikowskiy spent three seasons as a Polar Bear before transferring to Long Beach State to finish his degree. He sits at No. 4 on SRJC's all-time points leaders list with 76 goals, 61 assists, and was one of the team's most beloved captains.

Kulikowskiy is bringing Steven Dempsey and Willis Swift back up I-5 with him for the game. The two are taking a break from all that San Diego sun to show SRJC’s third liners a thing or two.

Fan favorite John Keshishian and Jackson Joyce are making their way over from Sonoma State University. Keshishian popped his head in a couple times this season, playing for his former squad as it took on the Oakland Ice Raiders in December and January.

With these five guys rostered for the game, it's no suprise that a couple of their teammates -- Marcel Delagnes, Bryan Vrba, Kurt Jones and Dave Rosefield -- decided to join in on the fun.

But they are not the only ones. 

Their goalie and the voice of the Polar Bears, SRJC Hockey's Director of Operations Jacob Fitzpatrick, is putting down the mic for the night to man the pipes. He and legend David Wattson look to silence the current Polar Bears' squad. They played a combined 60 games as SRJC's goaltenders in 2005 (Wattson) and 2011 (Fitzpatrick) with a 34-13 record and 1,222 saves.

Fitzpatrick isn't SRJC's only top dog to get in on the action. General Manager Tom Billeter will put back on the captain's jersey and show his players how it's done. Current skaters like to talk a big game, but are no doubt worried the boss will be on the other side of the faceoff.

The alumni squad is well represented with talent from the 2005 era and the new generation of Polar Bears. Also suiting up are former head coach Mike Kovanis, two-time PCHA Champion Eric Zagacki, Kevin Brath, Alex Leach, Matt Hutton, Anthony Yampol, Blair Tom and Chris Donahue.

A current roster is still being drafted for this game, although sources are saying that head coach Blake Johnson will dust off the skates and call shots from that blue line. Chris Tomaszewski is expected in net.

While it is a friendly exhibition game, it will be an intense match. The alumni can still feel the sting of last year's defeat, and surely one or two of them will put on a good show. 

The SRJC Hockey Alumni Game kicks off at 6:15 p.m. March 25. Come out and cheer on your favorite Polar Bear, new and old.