Senior Steve Souza, the Patriots’ former back-up goalie, now playing as a forward, has been selected to be the Patriots’ 2012 recipient of the Hobey Baker High School Character Award.  First established in 2003, and awarded in Rhode Island since 2006, the award is presented to the player on each High School hockey team in the State that best exemplifies the values and traits of Hobey Baker himself:  Character, Commitment, Teamwork, Persistence, Selflessness, Academic Excellence, and Sportsmanship.  “The Team before me.”  The award is currently presented in 13 States  and the District of Columbia.  Baker is widely regarded as the first American hockey star.

Souza, is in his second year on the Patriots’ varsity team.  He served as the team’s back-up goalie last season and for the first half of the current campaign.  He made the transition from playing goalie to forward midway through this season.  With two sophomore goaltenders waiting in the wings to take his place, Souza’s move to playing forward helped the Patriots fill critical gaps on the offense due to injuries to key players.  If there was any doubt about a young man who has trained as a net minder most of his 11 years of playing hockey making the switch to playing an offensive position, Souza quickly put them to rest.  His play was such that he was quickly placed on the first line where he sees regular ice time with the other forwards on the team.  He has two goals and two assists, for four points, in six league games since he set his goalie gear aside.  Souza has shown himself to be a gritty two-way team player, who has helped the Patriots meet the challenges of the second half of the season.  He has, additionally, been a leader both on and off the ice the entire season, setting the example by his hard work and dedication.  The successes the Patriots hockey team has enjoyed this season have been due, in no small part, to Souza’s efforts and determination.

Congratulations to Steve Souza for receiving this prestigious award.

Souza will be honored, along with the recipients from other Rhode Island teams, in two special events.  The first is an on-ice ceremony at the Providence Bruins game with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on March 4, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Arena.  Game time is 4:05 pm.  Tickets are at a special group rate of only $15.00 each.  Patriots players, families, friends, and fans of Portsmouth High School Hockey are encouraged to attend.  Please contact Coach Travis Holmes traholmes21@gmail.com if you would like to go to the game.  Coach Holmes will take checks made payable to Providence Bruins until Monday February 27.

In the second event Souza and the other awardees will be honored by Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee in a ceremony at the State House in Providence on March 12.  The time of this event is not currently available, but will be posted here when it is determined.