The Flight Path’s exclusive Air Force hockey player survey returns for a second year.

This season, 18 of the 28 players on the roster responded, or 64 percent. That leaves some room for debate on some questions, while the results end that possibility on other questions.

The 2018-19 season survey includes 25 questions, broken down into various categories. Players were given multiple choices and promised anonymity for their answers. Questions pertaining to skaters only had skaters listed, same for goalie-related questions.

I hope you enjoy this fun exercise that picks the Falcons’ brains to help shed light on which teammates they view as the strongest in various categories.

MORE SURVEY RESULTS

Part 2 (Questions 5-7) deals with strength and toughness

Part 3 (Questions 8-10) reveals the Falcons’ sharp shooters

Part 4 (Questions 11-14) reveals the good hands Falcons

Part 5 (Questions 15-17) looks to the eyes

Part 6 (Questions 18-22) gets defensive

Part 7 (Questions 23-25) hard work and leadership

Question 1: Which skater has the best top-end speed?

• Walker Sommer – 14 votes (78 percent)
• Joe Tyran – 2 votes (11 percent)
• Marshall Bowery, Matt Serratore – 1 vote

Analysis: If a breakout pass finds its way to Sommer it’s usually see you later. The sophomore wing’s speed is obvious any time he finds open space. The Falcons have felt the absence of Tyran, who is battling a lower-body injury for the second time in three seasons, and Serratore.

Question 2: Who is the most agile skater?

• Walker Sommer – 5 votes (28 percent)
• Matt Serratore – 4 votes (22 percent)
• Evan Feno – 3 votes (17 percent)
• Matt Pulver, Joe Tyran – 2 votes
• Shawn Knowlton, Zack Mirageas – 1 vote

Analysis: There is no clear consensus here, and that’s not a bad thing because the Falcons have several players who are shifty. What is remarkable is that Feno, Pulver, Tyran and Knowlton are on it after overcoming season-ending injuries during their AFA careers. Maybe this shakes out differently with more overall votes, but it’s hard to argue with the eye test on any of these guys’ agility.

Question 3: Which skater has the most explosive stride?

• Walker Sommer – 7 votes (39 percent)
• Matt Serratore – 5 votes (28 percent)
• Matt Pulver, Joe Tyran – 2 votes
• Max Harper, Zack Mirageas – 1 vote

Analysis: While top-end speed is more a measure of who has an extra gear once they’re going, this question deals more with who gets out of the starting blocks fastest? The top four here have both components, as well as agility. It would be hard to argue with any of them, but Sommer and Serratore have some breathing room at the top, according to their teammates. Having so many skaters who have a lot of strong elements to their strides also should tell you something about on characteristic Air Force likes to recruit.

Question 4: Which goaltender exhibits the best lateral movement?

• Billy Christopoulos – 18 votes (100 percent)

Analysis: Billy the Greek had this attribute in his toolbox when I saw him play as a freshman, but I also think this is an area he’s worked hard to improve at. I think we’ve seen that become more evident since the midway through last season.

NEXT: Strength, checking and toughness

©First Line Editorial 2017-18