Souderton seniors’ leadership was more than just by example
Ice Hockey Player of the Year
Mike McCarthy
By Rick Woelfel
Correspondent
For the past two seasons, Mike McCarthy has been the area’s most explosive ice hockey offensive force. The Souderton senior scored 28 goals during the Suburban High School Hockey League season, plus five more in two Flyers Cup tournament games. He added 23 assists to finish with 56 points in 25 games. Those numbers made McCarthy the obvious choice as the Intelligencer Player of the Year. McCarthy’s growth as a leader this season, however, was perhaps more impressive than his accomplishments on the ice. McCarthy first stepped on the ice at age 5 at the old Melody Brook rink on Route 309. Today, the rink is being dismantled and resembles a decrepit airplane hangar. The sight leaves McCarthy feeling melancholy.
“It makes me sad,” he said.
“That’s where I started.” McCarthy’s skills have long been apparent but for much of his career, he has been uncomfortable assuming the leadership responsibilities that tend to fall to – or be thrust upon a player with exceptional ability. It is only over the past year that he has felt at ease in that role. “I think I’ve grown up a lot from when I was younger,” he said. “This year (with Souderton) was a good environment. It wasn’t just me; it was the whole team.” As he became more comfortable with his leadership role, McCarthy recognized the importance of setting a positive tone for his younger teammates. “It comes with maturity,” he said. “You can’t be a leader and be a negative leader. I actually wanted to be in a leadership position. If you do that, you want to be a positive person in general.” Souderton coach Tom Coppersmith notes that McCarthy matured significantly between his junior and senior seasons and was more tolerant of his teammates’ limitations.”(As a junior), I think he expected the guys around him to do more than they were able to do,” Coopersmith said, “and that frustrated him. I think he expected more from his teammates.” At least in part because of his new mindset, McCarthy had an enjoyable, albeit emotional, final season with the Indians. “You realize you’re never going to play hockey with all your friends again,” he said. “I’m going to remember all the friendships. I actually enjoyed hockey; I fell in love with it again.” McCarthy isn’t sure exactly what lies ahead as far as his future in hockey is concerned, but the game is so much a part of him that as he looks ahead to college, it’s hard for him to envision not playing the game at some level. “I don’t want to give up hockey,” he said. “It’s a big part of my life.”
Kevin Carter
School: Central Bucks South (senior)
Position: Forward
Key Facts: Leading scorer for the team that captured the Suburban High School Hockey League Continental Division regular-season title… Contributed 20 goals. 29 assists…. Nine goals came on power play
Nick Gibson
School: Central Bucks South (senior)
Position: Forward
Key Facts: Scored 16 goals. added 22 assists for the Titans during the SHSHL season. Part of the top-scoring line on a Continental Division championship team
Mike McCarthy
School: Souderton (senior)
Position: Forward
Key Facts: Scored 28 goals during the SHSHL campaign and added five more during the Flyers Cup… The area’s most potent offensive player, he scored seven short-handed goals
Tyler McIntosh
School: Central Bucks East (junior)
Position: Defenseman
Key Facts: Solid two-way hockey player was a steadying influence on a Patriots team that was young in spots. Scored six goals and added four assists during the SHSHL season
Ryan Uchniat
School: Souderton (senior)
Position: Defenseman
Key Facts: Solid two-way defenseman helped the Indians into the Flyers Cup… Scored two goals to go with 10 assists
Eric Horrox
School: William Tennent (junior)
Position: Goaltender
Key Facts: The Panthers didn’t win a game
all year, but Horrox won rave reviews from opponents for his efforts between the pipes…. Kept his team in the game most nights
Chris Brown
Pennridge, Sr., Forward
Shane Kerwick
North Penn, Sr., Forward
Allan Fenton
North Penn, Sr., Forward
Ry Richards
Pennridge, Sr., Defense
Devin Dundore
Central Bucks South, Sr., Defense
Drew Politsky
Souderton, Sr., Forward
