The Houlton-Hodgdon Black Hawks picked up several awards at the recent Eastern Maine Class B Hockey banquet.
Last week, several players made the various all-star teams. Leading the way for the Black Hawks was senior defenseman Zach Chase, as he garnered First Team All-Eastern Maine honors. He also was named to the All-Academic All-Star squad. Chase also represented Houlton-Hodgdon in the Senior All-Star game held last Saturday in Falmouth.
Chase was paired with Presque Isle’s Greg Cyr, as they represented Aroostook County well, allowing only one goal in an exciting 7-6 game, which the West took with a goal in the final minute of play.
Chase said that the game was very fast paced, with a lot of hitting and he enjoyed playing alongside the players he had competed against over the years.
The Black Hawks were well represented on the all-star teams, as sophomore Craig Buxton garnered Second Team Forward honors and junior Morgan Hall was named a Third Team All-Star. Hall also picked up an Academic All-Star award.
Junior defenseman Taylor Martin was named to the honorable mention list and freshman goaltender Malik Abouleish was named to the All-Rookie Team.
“Perhaps the most important honors the team garnered were the six Academic All-Star awards,” said Black Hawks coach Joel Trickey.
Named to this prestigious team were seniors Chase and Chris McGuire; juniors Hall, Lowell Matthews, Elliot Mooers and Ashir Abouleish.
“These honors that our players received this year go a long way in showing how hard work and dedication pays off, not only on the ice but in the classroom, too,” said Trickey. “We have traditionally been strong on the Academic All-Star team and this year was no exception.”
Trickey stresses that playing high school hockey not only involves hockey skills, but using the life skills attempted to be taught in every aspect of a player’s life.
“For the most part, we see tremendous growth in our players, both hockey-wise and personal, every year and this year was no exception,” he said. “Our success on the ice showed in the awards, as we had trailed only state champion Winslow in players receiving awards. Overall, it was another good year for Black Hawks hockey, and with the number of underclassmen gaining experience this year, we look forward to strong teams for years to come.”
For Trickey and his coaching staff, watching the players grow, not only as hockey players, but as young maturing people, is the most satisfying part of their jobs as coaches.
“We are glad to have the opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives and our goal is to have a positive influence on the players that have passed through the program,” said Trickey. “Our coaching staff would like to thank the school and the parents for giving us this opportunity.”
