i HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rowe plays a big role in Waterville's title run
Morning Sentinel
HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rowe plays a big role in Waterville's title run
BY BILL STEWART
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 03/27/2009

BY BILL STEWART

Staff Writer

There are a number of reasons the Waterville Senior High School hockey team won the Class A state championship this season.

None were bigger than the play of Ian Rowe.

The senior did a lot of everything for the Purple Panthers, who won their 20th state championship with a 3-2 win against St. Dominic Regional High School.

He played forward, was a force on special teams and kept alive the Panthers championship run when he moved to the blue line during the Eastern A semifinals.

He was, as coach Dennis Martin said, the team's "spark plug."

Rowe, who had 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points, has been named the Morning Sentinel Hockey Player of the Year. Defenseman Shawn Lee and forward Eric Aldrich, both of Waterville, were also considered.

"I stressed hard work right from the very beginning," Rowe said. "I just brought that mentality to the table."

Added Martin: "Ian made everything go. He led by example. He stabilized everything for us. We had such a confidence with him. He did whatever he had to do for the team. Whatever needed to be done would get done."

Rowe opened the season as a forward, skating on the Panthers top line with Josh Gaudette and Nick DeBlois. He skated the point on the power play and was pivotal penalty killer as well. And with his team trailing 3-0 in the regional semifinal to Bangor, Rowe moved to defense to stop the bleeding. Senior defenseman Lee was out with a right shoulder injury.

The move paid off -- Waterville scored four unanswered goals to pull out a 4-3 victory.

"When Shawn couldn't play, it was a big loss for our defense," Rowe said. "I think being able to fit back in there really fired us up."

Martin said the switch helped relax the younger players during a tense playoff run.

"He took some of the pressure off the younger guys," Martin said. "He probably is better defensively than he is an offensive threat. He could play both ends of the ice. He's just an all-around great player."

Last season, Rowe paired with Zach Jochem and John Massey, two prolific scorers. With new linemates and more responsibility this season, Rowe said he needed to elevate his game.

"I wouldn't say there was pressure," he said, "but I definitely felt like I had to play well. I got stronger. I got a little bigger, too, and that resulted in some quickness."

By his own admission, Rowe was a quiet leader for the Purple Panthers. He didn't speak much, Martin added, but when he did the team listened.

"When he spoke, everyone listened," Martin said. "He was a big leader in the locker room. He led by example. Ian is very quiet. When something needs to be said, he gets his point across. He let his play do the talking and that spoke volumes."

Added Rowe: "I wasn't a captain, but the guys looked at me as a leader. I didn't say that much in the locker room, but when I saw something, I'd say something, and they'd listen."

Bill Stewart -- 623-3811, ext. 515

bstewart@centralmaine.com

Bookmark and share this story: digg del.icio.us Reddit

Reader comments

Click here to view or add reader comments