Collin Cooke is hoping the second half of King Philip’s ice hockey season turns out very differently than what transpired during the Warriors first eight games.
The squad, which compiled a 9-7-4 record last year and qualified for tourney play, has lost seven of eight games and Cooke, who was KP’s leading scorer as a sophomore last year with 11 goals and 15 assists, is acutely aware that if his pre-season objectives are to be realized, then “there’s a lot of work to do.’’
“My goals at the start of the season were to qualify for the Division 1 tourney again and to advance as far as possible,’’ said Cooke. “We’ve still got a chance to achieve those objectives in spite of our slow start. We can be a playoff team if we cut down on inopportune penalties and become more disciplined. We’ve got the talent and the drive to win games but we’ve got to execute if we’re to meet the challenge ahead. ’’
The Warriors need to play .500 hockey if they’re to qualify, but they can also qualify if they finish first in the Kelly-Rex Division of the Hockomock League. Their record in the division at Local Town Pages deadline is 1-1.
Another pre-season goal on Cooke’s list involved his personal statistics, but that priority now is very low in light of the Warriors disappointing start. Since hockey became a varsity sport at KP in 1967, only five Warriors have scored 100 points or more in their careers. Cooke seemed like he was on track to be No. 6.
The 6-foot, 180-pound junior forward started the season with 22 goals and 25 assists, good for 47 points. At the paper’s deadline, Cooke had 2 goals and 5 assists, giving him 54 career points. If his offensive output heats up and he stays healthy for the second half of the season, the Wrentham native could join the other Warriors in the record book after his senior season. Right now, however, the team’s welfare far outweighs his offensive desires.
The classy Cooke, who was a Hockomock League third-team all-star last year, is a team-oriented player and he puts KP’s success on a much higher level than individual statistics. “I want to win and play in the tourney,’’ he emphasized. “That’s a much bigger concern than my goals and assist totals. We’ve got to finish strong.’’
Cooke says his focus is to improve every day, whether it’s in games or practice, and he’d like to become a league all-star again. “If our team benefits and we’re winning, then it would be worth achieving that,’’ he noted.
Cooke’s coach, Paul Carlow, who is one of the five 100-point scorers, has high praise for his first-line forward, describing him in superlatives.
“I expect Collin to be one of the best players in the Hockomock League this season,’’ said Carlow. “He’s got a high hockey IQ, his skills are excellent, he can pass, shoot and elevate others. He’s always around the net and he knows how to finish plays. Collin is smart, a good student and a good kid, just a pleasure to coach.’’
Cooke, who started playing hockey at age four, may be a long way from thinking about his next stop but he knows he wants to continue his career in college. “I want to leave a positive mark at KP because my younger brother soon will be playing and I also want to be prepared to play at the next level,’’ said Cooke, who’s an honor-roll student. “I want to compete in college, but I’m not sure where just yet. I plan to major in business.’’
A finesse player, Cooke is blessed with a variety of skills. He’s a play-maker, he can stick-handle, his wrist shot is accurate and his awareness on the ice is a major plus. “Where I can improve is in the defensive zone,’’ Cooke said.
Bullish on KP because of his teammates and a coach he admires, Cooke points to the Warriors’ senior captains as a big asset. “Richie Lucenti and Jacob Kelley are wings and Jeremy Smith is a defenseman,’’ he noted. “They’re good overall players. Also, Gavin and Garrett Maxwell are wings who are tough, skilled and very good all-around skaters. Coach Carlow is another plus. He works hard to motivate us and is quick to make adjustments.’’
One of Cooke’s cherished moments occurred last year in KP’s matchup against Bay State Conference foe Walpole. “The game was tied, 2-2, and I was able to fire a wrist shot and score,’’ he recalled. “We won and that game enabled us to qualify for the tourney.’’
Last summer in Haverhill, Cooke competed in another tourney that involved many of the country’s elite hockey players. It was the Hockey Night in Boston’s Summer Showcase. “Eighty players from the U.S. and Canada participated,’’ Cooke said. “The team I played for posted a 4-1 record and got to the semifinals. I had a goal and three assists but I was honored to be chosen and to represent KP.’’
Cooke, who hopes to play varsity baseball this spring, has an admirable philosophy when he competes. He puts a priority on winning but other factors rate high. “I want to win,’’ he said. “But, it’s also important to reach your potential and have fun, too. Sports teach life lessons — like setting goals and working as a team. And, when you get knocked down, you get up. Bouncing back and giving 100 percent are great lessons you learn in sports.’’
Overcoming adversity, like KP’s early-season woes, is a test that Cooke and his teammates hope to achieve a high grade on in the days ahead.
Issue Date:
February, 2017
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