GF Tribune: Americans hockey: Barta leaves lasting legacy with team
GF Tribune: Americans hockey: Barta leaves lasting legacy with team
By Scott Mansch, smansch@greatfallstribune.com
March 20, 2016
When Connor Barta started playing hockey for the Great Falls Junior A team four years ago, smiles were as scarce as victories.
“It wasn’t good at all,” Barta said. “I think we had three coaches and won only one game. It wasn’t fun.”
In 2012, Barta was a 17-year-old junior at C.M. Russell High with aspirations of playing college hockey. He was talented enough to be the youngest member of the Americans, and optimistic enough to believe that abundant success at the Tier II Junior A level would soon follow.
It didn’t.
The Americans won only one of 48 games that winter. What does Barta remember about that unsuccessful season?
“I try to forget about it,” he said. “Actually, I just remember having Logan Schermele and Donovan Mattfeldt treat me so good. I was the youngest guy and they kind of took me under their wing.”
His hockey dreams seemed like a longshot. Read More>
