Dragons Hockey Advances To State Championship

When you think hockey, you don’t typically think Texas. The Carroll Dragons have turned this northern sport into a hotbed of potential in Southlake. The Dragons state champion and national qualifying team is on track for a return to Chicago for nationals. Leading the way again is team captain and senior Drew Cossu (pictured right/Photo by CISD Intern Kaitlin Stransky).

UPDATE: The top-seeded Dragons knocked off Dallas Jesuit 7-0 in the semifinals and advance to meet Plano West in a best-of-three series for the state championship beginning Friday night.

Carroll hockey is a high school club sport and not sanctioned by the University Interscholastic League. Cossu is also a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Club) and Spanish Club. Cossu sat down with Carroll ISD intern reporter Josh Yonis for a one-on-one to find out more about the star and his team’s team potential in the playoffs.

How did you get into hockey? Location? Family?

“One of the main reasons I started hockey when I was five years old was my dad. Being from Detroit, he had played hockey ever since he was a kid, so I immediately grew an attachment to the sport.”

Did you play any other sports as a kid that may contribute to your skills as a hockey player?

“While I played many different sports as a kid, I think soccer contributed the most. It was beneficial in allowing me to be able to see the whole field in order to become a better passer.”

Who have been your biggest influences?

“My dad was the biggest influential person on my hockey career from my family. As far as NHL players, (Dallas Stars player) Brad Richards is extremely influential. He not only can score goals, but he combines it with his exceptional ability in distributing the puck.”

Football has “Protect The Tradition,” what catch phrase does the hockey team have?

“We don’t really have a catch phrase this year. Last year we got our state rings inscribed with “All I Do Is Win” because it was a song we would play in the locker room before every game.”

What additions were made to the team this season?

“We lost about 7-8 players from our team last year, so we had to completely re-organize our team with the newcomers. Although many think that it would put us at a disadvantage, I believe we are just as capable of achieving the success we garnered last year.”

Do you believe this team has what it takes to make it back to nationals again this year?

“We have had an extremely successful season so far. One of the biggest competitors we have this year is definitely Plano. They have a very quick and aggressive team and they are the one of two teams to beat us this year.”

What accounts for your talents at dishing out the puck?

“The rise in point has to be attributed to my line mates Connor Morrow and Tim Hennessey. We have a lot of chemistry on the ice which is the main catalyst to the amount of assists I have this season. They both know where to be in front of the net in order to make my job at getting them the puck easy.”