2010-2011 BA HOCKEY BANQUET

Bridgton Academy hockey started their season August 26th, 2010 and officially concluded it Sunday with the 2010 - 2011 Hockey Banquet. Each year, the coach Staff, School Administrators and players and family get together for some good food, great stories and some fond memories.

Like the season, this years banquet went above and beyond all expectations. The kitchen staff went adapted very quickly to the 75 plus people in attendance. After enjoying a nice buffet style meal, Headmaster Grady Vigneau and Athletic Director Joe Sawicki spoke briefly about how proud they were of each program and the successes of the year. Then, all in attendance were entertained by a outstanding 15 minute video assembled by Coach Chris Travis and Marco Spisso. The video highlighted each player and some of the great 2010 and 2011 moments.

Coach Jonathan Lounsbury welcomed all and gave a quick recapped of the A Program year, which included the many road trips, tournaments and a National Championship. Coach Mike Meserve followed with his assessment of the B Program and it's many triumphs on and off the ice.

The Coaching Staff gave way to Team Manager Cam Meserve. Cameron traditionally gives presents and certificated in his segment of the "Team Manager Awards". This year, Dan Sullivan took home the "Biggest Bully Award" for constantly picking on the team manager throughout the year and DJ Cavicchi, earned a bottle of shampoo and conditioner for nicest hair. Due to Brendan Fitzpatrick's admiration of Cameron's many toys, Cam present Brendan the "Biggest Kid Award" along with a Matchbox Car. The Kitten Award, given to the player Cameron feels he can most easily beat up, was awarded to Ryan Dooley, who was surprised to add a small kitten to his already large supply of feline products. Finally, the "Muffin Award" was present to John Delpadre. The "Muffin" is presented to the player with the "strongest" shot. Cameron felt John's muffins earned him a certificate and a freshly made blueberry muffin.

Following the "Team Manager Awards", CoachLounsbury and Coach Meserve presented the 2010-2011 Team Awards

The Unsung Hero Award is presented to the person who quietly gives 100% to the program.

A - Brendan Moore

B - Charlie Gendron

The Most Improved Award is given to the person who have constantly improved in all areas of hockey

A - John Delpadre

B - Sean Yule

The Coaches Award is for a person the coaching staff feel best represents the program

A - Steve Laliberte

B - Chris Watkins

Finally, the coaching staff was proud to present the prestigious 410 Award. The 410 Award is given to a player who considered the best teammate by his peers. It is named in memory of Bridgton Hockey Players, #4 Patrick Reddy and #10 Brian Doucette, who tragically lost their lives in an automobile accident.

A - Ryan Kulik

B - Ryan Dooley

A Team Captains, Matt Buckley and Brad McGovern, along with B Captain Todd Brow, present Team Manager Cam Meserve with an autograph team picture, signed by the entire team and a NHL Puck autograph to Cameron from Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sydney Crosby.

The Coaching Staff would like to thank all who attended, especially the parents and family members who supported their players and Bridgton Academy throughout the year.

"Commitment, Sacrifice and Responsibility"

BA Wins NAHA National Championship

The Bridgton Academy Junior A hockey team had a chance to make even more history this past weekend as they competed in the North American Hockey Association National Championship Tournament. Needing a strong effort for two games of the tournament to qualify for the championship, they Wolverines did not disappoint as they brought home National Championship for BA.

While they ultimately won the tournament, they did not make it easy on themselves. The tournament started out with a loss to Rice AAA, a talented Junior program from Vermont, who Bridgton faced multiple times in the regular season. Rice made the path even harder for BA as they beat the Wolverines 3-2. Ryan Kulik (Pembroke, MA) and Brad McGovern (Haverhill, MA) netted the pair of goals for BA in game one. In Brad Cray’s (Raleigh, NC) first start of the tournament he played very well in net stopping 22 of the 25 shots he saw.

Starting off with a loss put Bridgton into a unique position. They would need St. Foye, as the underdog, to beat Rice in the morning. Much to Bridgton’s surprise, St. Foye was able to overtake Rice in a big upset win. That put Bridgton in an even more unique situation as they would need to beat St. Foye and score more than four goals while not giving up more than two in order to advance to the championship game. The Wolverines emerged with a 6-2 win to put them in a place to play for the Championship. The offensive attack was lead by Kulik who tallied three goals and one assist. In his second game in net Cray played a solid game stopping 31 of 33 shots he faced.

In the Championship game Bridgton faced off against The Cape Cod Cubs. While the Cubs were the winner of the IJHL banquet Bridgton came out on top with a 3-2 win. Kulik tallied his fifth goal of the tournament to lead off Bridgton’s scoring. Ryan Dooley (Topsfield, MA) and Dan Concannon (Everett, MA) also tallied goals in the final game of the season. Cray played his final game in net for the Wolverines as solid as ever stopping 22 of 24 shots and securing the NAHA national championship.

For more information on the tournament click this link to check out the International Junior Hockey Leagues official website.

Photo Credit to Donna Husic.

Jr. A Falls in OT

The Jr. A team played their last game of the regular season which ended in an unfortunate 5-4 overtime loss to the New England Stars. The Wolverines had an initial 3-1 lead with goals coming from Brendan Moore, Ryan Kulik, and Ryan Donovan. Assists came from Dan Concanno, Tyler Albano, Marco Spisso, and Steve Laliberte. The New England Stars made a comeback but Laliberte tied up the game with assists from Kulik and Spisso. While they ultimately lost in overtime the Wolverines played a strong game to close out the regular season. Will Husic played in net and stopped 15 of the 20 shots he saw.

After a two week spring recess the Wolverines will return to campus and head to Stoneham, MA to compete in Nationals.

Player Profile: Chris Watkins

HOMETOWN: Spokane, WA

HIGH SCHOOL: Gonzaga Prep

IN HIGH SCHOOL: I was a slacker

HEARD ABOUT BA: Coach Meserve

GOALS AT BA: I want to improve my academics, instill work ethic for academic success, and be a better hockey player

BA IS DIFFERENT THAN HIGH SCHOOL: The scheduling is different and there are fewer distractions. BA is definitely tailored for the students success.

BEST THING ABOUT BA: The weight room

WORST THING ABOUT BA: Getting domed by a puck

ACTIVITIES AT BA: hockey, lifting, intramurals, admissions ambassador

OUTSIDE OF BA: I help out at a grade school tutoring the kids, I also participate in the GOAL program at BA

ROLE MODEL: My mom

FAVORITE BOOK: Lone Survivor -Marcus Luttrell

FAVORITE MOVIES: Dazed and Confused, The Fighter, Son In Law, and Happy Gilmore

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Los Angeles Kings

FAVORITE ATHLETE: Rod Brind’Amour

FAVORITE MUSIC: Hip Hop and Country

FAVORITE MEAL: corn beef, twice baked potatoes, and green beans

FAVORITE QUOTE: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” - Wayne Gretzky

MY FRIENDS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW: I love to play with legos

BA PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS SHOULD KNOW: Take it one day at a time because each day is a new day and you don’t want to let time pass you by here. Make the most of it.