In his first year as head coach of the Freedom team in the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey league (LVSHL), Brandon Zittrer is looking to stress the use of teamwork throughout the season.

He should be quite familiar with the concept, as the former Freedom high graduate and player was involved in the highest profile of the concept when he was stationed in Iraq a few years ago as part of his commitment to the US Army.

Zittrer is optimistic he can bring a similar sense of allegiance to his team this winter.

"When I was there (Iraq), working as a team is very important," he stated. "We were reminded everyday about our responsibilities and always strived for a sense of discipline. We always need to work as team for a common goal.

"I'd like to bring the same type of discipline to the team, but I realize it won't be as strict as it was in the Army. We have a number of younger players on the team, but they still realize how discipline can be effective. "As in the military, they understand what it takes to be a good team and how we have to give 110 percent all the time."

Zittrer spent last season as an assistant coach under former head coach Mike Mould, who resigned to spend more time with his family. Two seasons ago, Freedom advanced to the finals of the LVSHL Non-Pure Division and just missed making the playoffs last year.

Zittrer recalled how a passing thought evolved into an opportunity to join the program before last season.

"The team was having a car wash, and I told them to call me if they were looking for anyone to help," said Zittrer. "Soon after, I received a phone call and was ecstatic to join the team. I had played for (Freedom) when I was in high school. It turned out to be one of the best phone calls I had ever made.

"Working with Mike (Mould) last season was phenomenal. He taught me so much about the game and how to work with teenagers. I had coached (hockey) prior to this, but never at this level. But I'm confident I can take what I learned from Mike (Mould) and successfully move forward."

Through last week's game, Freedom had an overall 2-2-2 record and sat in fifth place from the eight-team Non-Pure Division.

Brendan Driscoll, who is the team's returning leading scorer, is again setting the pace with 17 goals and four assists for 21 points. Alex Ramos is second on the team in scoring with six goals and three assists.

Zittrer also credited the play of Cole Nicholson and Kevin Devine, both of whom he described as "grinders who may not be putting the puck in the net but doing everything else in giving 120 percent."

Reaching the halfway mark of the season, Zittrer is optimistic his team possibly can make a playoff run in the second half in spite of a small bench and a young squad.

"I know we are faced with some challenges, but we have some very good players back," said Zittrer. "We will never be perfect and we will always be learning along the way. We have a very short bench, and we lost a lot of seniors from last year.

"But we have good team camaraderie and we have been getting better with each game. If we have some guys pick up the slack, we can stay above .500 and go from there."