Paul Noonan cast an air of confidence at practice Monday afternoon, directing the Milton High varsity boys’ hockey team through drills at Ulin Rink.

His crisp red workout gear did not seem to match his tattered and torn gloves, holes revealing his fingers and palms. Noonan has worn the same gloves for years, for sentimental value and maybe some superstition; his brother, Brian , a high school coach in Illinois, had worn the gloves as a member of the Stanley Cup champion New York Rangers in 1994.