Flichel relishes 'vet' status

(IdahoSteelheads.com note: This article is the first in a series of online columns written by Rachel Morin, a communication major at Boise State who is fulfilling an internship with the organization this season)Though the Steelheads roster has gone through major upheavals in the past few seasons, there is one name on the roster that Steelheads fans will recognize, that of veteran captain Marty Flichel. This year Flichel dons the Steelheads uniform for the seventh season, supplying the team with veteran leadership and experience. At age 33, Flichel uses his veteran status to guide the Steelheads, whose roster includes eight rookies. ?I like being able to help the young players and watch them move from level to level.? This season he added assistant coach to his title along with his captains ?C.? ?I love being a veteran and watching the younger players grow, even if that means not getting as much ice time? So what?s it like for him playing with a roster that includes only seven players from last season? ?It?s awesome, these guys are easy going, but hard working and all of them have a great work ethic.? And a lot of confidence as the Steelheads head to Utah coming off a 3-0 opening weekend against the visiting Stockton Thunder. ?Stockton?s a good team,? he says, ?give them credit; they played us hard these three games.? One thing is for sure, Flichel will continue to work hard for his team. Not taking the opening weekend success for granted, the captain says, ?We played well, but we?re going to get back to work and prepare for Utah.? The young Steelheads team is lucky to have a steady handed veteran in the locker room; one who is sure to help guide them through their long and sure to be tough season.