Quick Look: Dallas Snipers

by Manny Brizuela

The Dallas Snipers are looking to play shift-by-shift and they will need everything they got against the El Paso Rhinos tonight.

The Snipers ended their season with a divisional semifinal loss to the eventual champion, Rhinos. Going into the playoffs they were 13-38-0 but had a season plagued with injury. Dallas was short their top three point producers in their postseason series against El Paso.  Although Dallas endured a rough exit from the playoffs there is optimism moving forward.

“We had a very young team,” Dallas Head Coach Aaron Davis said. “A lot of guys played in tough situations last year and we are counting on them to bring that experience this time around.”

The Snipers are returning ten players who dressed in blue last year. In particular, Sterling Cooper (25-40-65) was the leader in assists, points and also put up his fair share of goals. Jaroslav Vasicek (26-33-59) was the leading scorer for the Snipers and returns to action. Eric Eaton (17-26-43) rounds up the top three scorers of last year who will try to lead a bounce back season for their team.   

A new player to note is Nicholas Fritz who had 17 points in 18 games played last year for the San Antonio Jr. Rampage 16U A. Fritz collected seven goals and 10 assists but will need to adjust to the intensity and pace of the WSHL.  

“We still have to see how our new players will adjust after a few games,” Davis said. “Here, things happen much quicker. The internal competition is really pushing guys to get in shape on a nightly basis.”

For Dallas, the main priority is the movement of players onto college rosters.

“A goal is always to compete and be in every game,” Davis said. “Moving guys on is also huge for our program and we want to continue to push that.”

Coach Davis has yet to name a captain for the Snipers, like many other teams, who believe the leader is definable as adversity presents itself.  The Dallas team identity gravitates toward a squad that doesn’t take any days lightly and isn’t afraid to get to the grind.

The Snipers will open their season at home, tonight, versus the El Paso Rhinos at 7:45 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the game, and every game of the season, on WSHL Live. Visit the WSHL main website to access the link.