20051209 - Freedom High's bench takes in the action during their win
against Plant High on Friday night. High school ice hockey has has
grown from four little teams in Hillsborough County to 14 teams,
complete with a fan base, rivalries and the other sorts of things
you'd expect from high school athletics even though the league is not
financed by the county. The players are devoted to their sport, even
though they know it is a long shot they will advance to play at a
higher level. No player born and raised in Florida has ever made the
NHL, but the Stanley Cup victory in 2004 by the Tampa Bay Lightning
has increased area interest in the sport. (Brian Cassella / St.
Petersburg Times)
