After a dismal 2010-2011 campaign by the Boys Hockey team, in which the team went 3-10-7, the returning lettermen convened and voted John White, a talented sophomore at the time, as their next captain. Fast forward a year and the Boys Hockey Team is struggling again, with a record of 3-6-5, but a major difference between the two seasons is the rise of junior Captain John White as one of the premier players in the Bay State League. With 11 goals and 10 assists for a total of 21 points, White not only leads the team in these categories, but is also tied in the Herget Division for the lead in goals and tied for fourth in points. While White has prospered, the team that he captains has struggled and is now in the must-win phase in order to qualify for postseason play. “We’ve had trouble finishing games,” said White, “it’s been our main problem this season.”
White is an impressive leader —one who leads by example. “As a captain I try to have my effort act as an example for others to build off of,” said White. Whenever his team calls on him, White rises to the occasion. On January 7, the Rebels had the opportunity to defeat Wellesley for the first time in three years, but a late goal by the Raiders tied the game up at 3-3. Not satisfied with a tie, White scored a goal with 10 seconds left in the game to give Walpole the win. Not only did White score the game-winning goal, but the goal completed a hat trick for him. Against Brockton on January 30, White again put up a hat trick, as well as two assists in a crucial 5-2 win over the Boxers.
White credits his work ethic for his success. “I work to have others want to elevate their game,” said White. White’s excellence does not end on the ice. Sporting a 4.2 GPA and in the top 10 of his class, White is a force in the classroom as well. “I’m always devoted to giving things my best effort,” said White, “on and off the ice.” White does not have a clear cut picture of his plans following high school, as he weighs his options of college, juniors, or prep school, but White wants to keep hockey in his future.
With only four seniors graduating, the future is bright for the Rebels because the team is very young, but not without talent. Sophomore defenseman Pat Baker is the most consistent defender on the team and a scoring threat too. Fellow sophomore Billy Moore is reminiscent of White in his scoring and speed. When Moore has the puck in the offensive zone, he can score. Tommy MacNamara, another sophomore, has unbelievable hands and quick feet that somehow always put him in front of the net with the puck on his stick. “We have a lot of young talent and basically the whole team returning,” White said, “we could find ourselves competing as one of the best teams in the Bay State League.” This prediction could easily come true if the Rebels continue to employ one of the best players in the Bay State League, John White.
