2015-16 season highlights: Was the offensive spark the Hurricanes needed to secure their first Western Massachusetts title since 1994. Finished with 26 goals and 23 assists during the regular season. Notched a hat trick in Amherst’s 3-2 win over Chicopee Comp in the Western Mass. finals. Named the Division 3A Tournament MVP.
Balderston on winning the Western Mass. title: “I got hot at the right time going into the tournament. I tried to clear my mind before every game and I started to put the puck in the net. It all came together for me and my linemates. We turned it into a championship.”
Balderston on his junior season: “I tried to build on last year and do the same things I was doing. I was struggling to put the puck in the net halfway through the year. I had to mentally reset and trust myself. I started to feel good on my skates and with the puck on my stick at the right time.”
Coach Mike Rousseau on Balderston: “Jake was unselfish, led by example and had a team-first approach. He was our spark on offense. He lives and breathes Amherst hockey. He’s an Amherst kid. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
ICE HOCKEY ALL STARS
FIRST TEAM
Brandon Bryant, goalie, senior, Turners Falls
Niccolo Cardaropoli, forward, sophomore, Amherst Regional
Nick Freniere, defenseman, senior, Amherst Regional
Matt Gazaille, defenseman, senior, Amherst Regional
Dylan Gillen, forward, senior, Belchertown
Kyle Greene, goalie, junior, Belchertown
Jordan Henault, defenseman, senior, Belchertown
Alex Joao, defenseman, junior, South Hadley
Ben Magarian, forward, senior, Belchertown
Nathan Masteralexis, forward, junior, Amherst Regional
Jack Rees, senior, forward, Amherst Regional
Evan Sullivan, forward, senior, South Hadley
HONORABLE MENTION
Christian Assimus, defenseman, senior, Belchertown
Cam Cass, forward, junior, Belchertown
Cody Cleveland, defenseman, senior, Easthampton
Clayton Bowser, goalie, junior, Amherst Regional
Jon Brodeur, senior, forward, Easthampton
Sean Doherty, forward, freshman, South Hadley
Josh Lacroix, defenseman, senior, Amherst Regional
Ben Watkins, forward, freshman, South Hadley