The Gardner News put out a poll to let readers have a say in the decision of our Hockey Player of the Year. After over 23,000 votes from Gardner area high school sports fans and combining staff votes, the winner has been chosen.
Players earned a spot on the poll through coach or staff nominations, highlighting their contributions throughout the season. The winner was determined through both the results of the readers' poll and TGN staff votes. Based on the combined methods, here is the Hockey Player of the Year top three.
TGN Hockey Player of the Year
For the second year in a row, The Gardner News Hockey Player of the Year is Gardner's Gavin Richard. He earned 36.49% in the poll with 8,651 votes and tallied high in the staff voting to secure the recognition.
Richard was the Wildcats' leading scorer with 31 points this season (20 goals, 11 assists). He averaged over a point a game and was critical on the power play.
"There were many times throughout the year during a timeout we were down a goal or tied and I'm saying, 'I need someone to go out there and get a goal, who's going to do it?' and usually, it was always Gavin raising his hand or speaking up," Gardner coach Scott Freniere said.
His contributions on the ice weren't the only thing he did for Gardner. Richard developed into a key leader for the team over his four years playing and was a "positive force" for the Wildcats throughout this season.
"Its a struggle between what's the biggest loss, is it his offensive production or his presence in the locker room," Freniere said of Richard's impact on the team and what they will be missing next year.
"He brings a lot of energy, and he brings life to everything."
Honorable mentions
Kyle Gendron of Monty Tech/Fitchburg hockey tied in second with Leominster's Rachel Simkewicz.
Gendron totaled 6,199 votes for second in the fan poll. He had a successful senior season with 18 goals and 13 assists.
Simkewicz was the lone girls player nominated for the poll. The senior had an outstanding season for Leominster, reaching the 100-point milestone to finish out her career.
Final tallies
Readers' votes made up half of our poll, while the staff made up the other half. A first place garnered three points for the athlete, second place equated to two and third tallied one. Add those two points totals up and that's how ...
