The Fresno Monsters hockey team resumes play for their second half of the season of 2025. (GV Wire Composite)
- Coach Mannon expresses confidence in team's progress and potential for improvement in the upcoming games.
- Key players to watch include goalie Brooks Barofsky, defenseman Jesse Nuutinen, and forwards Simon Eriksson and Elliot Hammarstrom.
- Monsters face tough competition from rivals Bakersfield Roughnecks and Lake Tahoe Lakers in their quest for the Premier National Championship.
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The Fresno Monsters hockey team resumes play for the second half of the season of 2025 on Thursday as they travel to take on the Long Beach Bombers. The Monsters are returning to the ice after a holiday hiatus with a 17-8 record.
The only hockey ticket in Fresno, they’re a junior team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) in the Premier Division of the Pacific regional conference.
“The first half of the season has been solid overall, but there’s still work to be done. I’m happy with where we’re at as a team, and we’ve put ourselves in a good position heading into the second half,” said coach Daylon Mannon. “There’s plenty to build on, and I’m confident we’ll continue to improve as we move forward.”
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Key Players to Watch
The Monsters play their home games at Gateway Ice Center. The players to look out for are No. 38 goalie Brooks Barofsky, No. 11 defenseman Jesse Nuutinen, forwards No. 21 Simon Eriksson, and No. 28 Elliot Hammarstrom.
The Monsters have international players from Sweden, Russia, Finland, and Canada.
Since 2020, they’ve put up winning records: 28-10 (2020-2021), 30-11 (2021-2022), 38-7 (2022-2023), and 39-5 (2023-2024). They’ve made it to the semifinals and finals, even winning the Pacific Division Championship in 2021. But haven’t won’t the Premier National Championship.
Mannon believes this year can be different. “This group is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Their dedication and commitment to each other and the game truly stand out.”
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Upcoming Challenges and Rivalries
It won’t be an easy road. They’ll have to contend with their biggest and Central Valley rival, the Bakersfield Roughnecks, in the Battle of 99. Another team looming large is the Lake Tahoe Lakers.
Their three-game series against the Lakers will be their first home competition of the second half, Friday, Jan. 17 to Sunday, Jan. 19. And the three-game series at home with the Roughnecks will conclude the season, Thursday, Feb. 20 to Saturday, Feb. 22.
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Home Ice Advantage
They’ve only played two series at home this season. So, most of their games will be in Fresno the rest of the way, and that could be a competitive advantage.
“The hockey fanbase in Fresno is hectic and rowdy, in the best way possible. They care deeply about the game and the players,” said Mannon. “At home, their energy is unmatched, and the players feed off that support, driving them to perform at their best.”
For the Fresno Monsters schedule, click here.
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