Fermi-Enfield co-op hockey team working towards common goal

Senior goalkeeper Aaron Lickwar makes a glove save. Photos by Colin Rajala.

Last year, the Fermi-Enfield ice hockey team took the ice for the first year as a co-op program. This season, the squad added two more schools to its co-op program - Stafford and East Granby. Last season the co-op made the Division 1 state tournament, and with the co-op moving to Division 2 this season, the Falcons are aiming for another state tournament appearance.

“We have to get there. We do have a difficult schedule and those one-goal losses that we had over Christmas break where we blew some leads are critical,” said head coach Frank Genovese. “We still have 12 games left in the schedule, so we certainly have time to make the tournament.”

The Falcons' first line has connected early and often on the season and shown great cohesiveness. Senior captain and right wing Avery Boissy is leading the Falcons from the first line, as he leads the team in points (12), is second in goals scored (five) and is tied for the team lead in assists (seven). His line mate, sophomore center Brian Riley, has stepped into his varsity season seamlessly, scoring two goals and notching seven assists. Benefiting the most from Boissy and Riley’s assists has been senior left wing Jason Despard, with six goals.

The Falcons’ second line is beginning to heat up behind junior wing Matt Boulette’s three goals and three assists. His line mates, senior center Nick Ferracci and junior wing Jacob Quinn, have tallied four points apiece.

The Falcons’ backline is led by senior defender Logan Beck, who is an intimidating force and not afraid to scrap and mix it up in the corners for a loose puck. Alongside Beck, fortifying the backline, is senior defender Ryan Zetterholm. He leads all defenders in points and will be looked upon to facilitate the attack from the point.

Leading Fermi-Enfield in the net is senior goalkeeper Aaron Lickwar. Senior Zack Audet will also see some time in net.

Genovese believes the Falcons are a very disciplined team and that the close losses they experienced early on will iron themselves as the season progresses, as long as the team sticks to their concepts and the players know their responsibilities. The team does not take many penalties, which Genovese sees as a double-edged sword. It allows them to play at full strength, but he believes the close losses could be wins if the team was more physical.