On a team full of seniors, one HSE Hockey A junior is setting the standard for the future of the program. HSE junior Evan Swann, #2, who plays the left wing, has been on the team since his sophomore year and is ready for the future of HSE Hockey.

He has the sole responsibility of carrying on the leadership that has been guiding him this season. Due to the sheer size of HSE Hockey’s graduating class of 2026, with 15 seniors, there is going to be a large gap to fill. But Swann isn’t scared of this fact, going from 5 seniors his first season, to 15 now.

“When I initially joined, we had only 5 seniors. They were good mentors but this year it’s a lot different [with] only 4 underclassmen, and only 2 of us go to HSE,” Swann noted.

The pressure is on for the lone junior. More seniors means more spots to fill, but replicating the bond of this year’s team is going to be difficult.  Learning how to lead and help the underclassmen succeed on the team has been the biggest goal for #2 this season.

“One thing that I’ve learned this year is trying to help the younger guys out.”

Reflecting on the impact of the current seniors, Swann comments that,

“You know, you got a full group of seniors that are leaving next year, and you want the next group of guys to be well developed and ready to come up,”.

On his personal impact, Evan Swann wants the underclassmen to know that whatever they want to gain from HSE Hockey, they have to work for it. Working as hard as possible, as much as they can.

While all of the HSE Hockey seniors have made an impact on the lone junior, one is particular has made a profound impact on not only Swann’s experience on the team, but his love for the sport, also.

“I will shout out Will Ellenwood, for always talking to me. He’s always chatting me up, asking if I need a ride to practice or a game. He’s pretty much just always there for me.”

Obviously, having almost your entire team leaving at graduation would be scary to most. But Evan Swann, the lone junior, is up for the next challenge.