Ian Karas ‘25, a star of the Chicago South Hockey Team, was selected as an All-Star and accumulated 23 points during his spectacular junior season.
“I think I’ve played decent throughout the season,” said Karas. “I mean, there’s always room for improvement, but I think I’ve done okay.”
Chicago South is a part of the ISHL North Central Varsity league in the Silver division, where Karas has seen great success.
“Overall now I’m leading the league in points after the most recent games,” said Karas. “But at the end of the regular season, one kid came in front and I finished one point behind the lead.”
Karas speaks nonchalantly about his performance, but his teammates understand the level that he has been playing at.
“He’s been incredible, he’s been averaging almost two points per game,” said Asher Berman ‘24. “He’s an all-star and he’s our team’s leading scorer, you can’t say enough about how important he’s been to our team.”
While Karas is mostly responsible for his performance this season, he attributes some of his play to his peers.
“I think we’ve been playing well recently,” said Karas. “I think I’ve been playing better because of the team’s performance.”
Though he has been successful as a junior, Karas appreciates all the positivity that the seniors bring to the team.
“The seniors are great, they’re all nice guys,” said Karas. “It’s really easy to play when I’m with them and they’ve been really elevating our team.”
The seniors feel a similar way towards Karas, who value his contributions and his attitude about all things hockey.
“[Ian] is an all-around great guy, he always has something to say,” said Berman. “He does what he wants both on and off the ice and he’s an important piece to everything we do.”
The bond of the team helps empower their success, as they have created a tight-knit environment with each other.
“My favorite part of hockey is that the team is such a fun group of people,” said Karas. “I go to school with a bunch of them, so I’m always around them and it feels like hanging out with a family.
As his junior season will soon come to a close, Karas is excited for everything that his senior season will entail.
“I’m looking forward to my final season and being a senior,” said Karas. “Hopefully we’ll be able to win a tournament or even the championship, at least a few games.”
Though Berman and the other seniors will be gone after this season, they have high hopes for the future of Chicago South Hockey.
“My message to the team is to keep working hard,” said Berman. “I know we’ve got big things in our future, Go Eagles!”
