North Broward Prep's "Eagles" Hope To Soar At National Championship

FT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – When you think of a popular high school sports in South Florida hockey is probably not the first thing that comes to mind.

But did you know we have one of the best high school teams on ice in the state?

"This is my dream. I've been playing hockey since I was five years old," said Gil Lipkin a member of the North Broward Preparatory School's Eagles.

For the third year in a year in a row the school's varsity hockey team will be heading to the National Championship Tournament. This year it's being held in Omaha, Nebraska.

"Everyone will say 'where are you from?' When they hear Miami they think we are all surfer dudes, playing hockey but basically we go out there and are competitive hard-working team," said G.C. Debello.

The team practices seven days a week. They work hard under the watchful eyes of their coach - former NHL player Peter Worrell.

Worrell, who has played for the Panthers and the Colorado Avalanche, has coached the team for the last six years.

"As a coach you have to be more of a general chess master and try to stay calm and keep everybody on the same mission with the same goal," said Worrell in describing the difference between playing versus coaching.

The Eagles will leave for Omaha on March 25th. They will be one of only 36 high school teams from across the country competing for the national title.