The Columbus Ice Hockey Skates Into Its Second Season

By Max Barrenechea

Ian Mundy, Michael Babun, Ranier Garrido and Lucas Chacon of the Columbus Ice Hockey Team during its first game of the season at the Coral Springs Ice Den on Oct. 17, 2025. Photo Credit: @cchs_ice_hockey

The Columbus Ice Hockey Club is starting its second season after many improvements from last year.

Founding of the Club

Ice Hockey is a sport that you don’t see in many schools, especially schools in Florida, and two years ago you wouldn’t see it in Christopher Columbus High School either.

That changed after Junior Vicente Diaz brought his love of hockey to Columbus and founded the Ice Hockey Club. The club started out as just playing hockey with friends after school, but was transformed into a legitimate team after Eric Pino stepped up as a moderator and helped organize the club by finding a league, creating a schedule, and establishing the competitive side of the Columbus Ice Hockey Club. 

First Season

The team officially hit the ice last year, finishing its first season with a record of 3–15–2. While the season’s result didn’t fully meet expectations, the experience helped set a strong foundation for the team.

“We had high expectations,” said junior Vicente G Diaz, “but the program is just starting, and a lot of people were new to the sport.”

That first season gave the team information of what needed to be improved. Players began making changes in practice, focusing more on fundamentals and studying game film to enhance their skills and teamwork.

However, the team is not recognized by the FHSAA, therefore, it could not receive official school funding or be considered an official varsity sport. Rather than let that discourage them, the players turned it into motivation. They began selling custom Columbus Ice Hockey jerseys and merchandise, which was a major success and was loved by students and teachers.

The team jerseys. Photo Credit: @cchs_ice_hockey

“The first game was great,” Diaz said. “Everyone was wearing Columbus merch. There was so much Columbus representation — it really felt like brotherhood.”

Postseason

After the season ended, the team didn’t stop working; they got a new moderator and stayed active by training on the ice, watching film, and growing the program.

“We kept talking about hockey, kept training, and kept promoting the team,” Diaz explained. “We wanted to come back better and more connected.”

The offseason also allowed them to reflect over the team and make the necessary improvements. Diaz also emphasized the importance of team chemistry after the difficulties they faced last year.

“We’re really focused on bonding as a team and taking the game more seriously,” he said. “We’ve got four new players and new talent this year — the team is more put together. Now it’s about getting everyone on the same page.”

This Season

Now entering the second season in the club’s history, the Explorers are currently 1-4 with a goalie suspension and injury early in the season. However, despite the setbacks, the team has not wavered and is still confident in their ability to win. Their replacement goalie has been performing extremely well and the team has been working together and shown more improvement. The team’s current goal is to finish with an over .500 record and continue expanding the team. With the constant gain in members and the growing interest in Ice Hockey as a sport the team is sure to improve and meet their goals.

For information on schedules, scores, and how to join the team, follow them on Instagram at @cchs_ice_hockey