Max Dooley                                           Matt Lopes

This year the league has instituted a new program to recognize those hockey players who have excelled in the classroom.  Similar to the All-Division designation for the best performing players in the league, the scholar-athletes on the squads will be named to an All-Academic Team.  Seniors who have been with their team at least three seasons, and are either members of the National Honor Society, or have at least a 3.5 grade point average are eligible for the designation.  All players meeting the qualification requirements will be named to the team.  The academic stars will subsequently be honored at the All-Division Banquet on March 18th at 6:30 pm at the Crowne Plaza, in Warwick.

While the Patriots have many very good students on the hockey team, only two players this season, Max Dooley and Matt Lopes, meet the requirements for this award.

Currently in his fourth season with the team, Max skates as a forward, and has been an alternate captain of the squad for two seasons.  He is also the team’s 2020 recipient of the Hobey Baker High School Character Award.  He is a leader at both the rink and in the classroom.  With a challenging schedule of classes, including a number of Advanced Placement courses, he has delivered continued excellence which has earned him a spot on the Honor Roll and as a member of the National Honor Society.

Matt is playing in his third season for the Patriots hockey team.  He skates primarily as a defenseman, but is capable of playing as a forward when called upon to do so, as well.  He is an outstanding student who carries a schedule of demanding courses and delivers excellence at every step.  With a Grade Point Average above 3.5, he is a routinely on the Honor Roll every grading period.

With high levels of performance in the classroom and on the ice, Max and Matt embody the finest attributes of the classic student athlete.  Congratulations to them both for being named to the league’s All-Academic Team.

This article is an updated version of a previous item, to clarify the updated eligibility requirements of the designation, and to add Matt Lopes as a recipient.