Nick Moulison, Max Trudel, Jimmy Keck, Kellan Danaher, Max Kirianov, Max Guertin, and Marco Mottola have been the backbone of the Pingree Boys Varsity hockey team for the last four years.
Initially brought in freshman year as a group of 11 players, the remaining seven players in the Class of 2025 have seen everything from departures to failures to triumphs. On February 22nd, Pingree hosted Phillips Andover Academy on senior day for a highly anticipated matchup. The game was an intensive nail-biter until the Highlanders fell to the Big Blue in overtime. Playing shorthanded of various top contributors, the Pingree seniors knew the game would hinge on their ability to show up. Indeed, it was a spectacular showing, and the game was a testament to the brotherhood that those original seven seniors desired to build. Before the game, I sat down with a few seniors to reflect on their time on the team.
Reflections on their time at Pingree:
Marco Mottola: What sticks with me most about my time as a Pingree hockey player is that time really does fly. I remember my freshman year when Cody Plaza ‘22 told me to enjoy every day and really appreciate what you have. Now that I am as old as Cody was, nothing feels truer than that statement. The best part of this experience hasn’t even been the hockey itself; it’s been the times in the locker room, the bus rides, and the pasta parties. Watching each other grow through such pivotal moments in our lives and knowing that we had each other’s backs is a special liberty many don’t get to experience. I’m really proud to call these guys my brothers. As a freshman, our team wasn’t very successful, and there is no better feeling than knowing each and every single one of us has contributed to our success. It’s not like the NHL, where you can trade and sign guys; we all are the same group that we started with. At one point, winning the Holt Conference Championship had felt like a dream…This program is special, and through the good, the bad, and the ugly, I am so glad I did it with this group of guys. It truly is a brotherhood.
Max Trudel: Something that will stick with me is all the memories I’ve made with my teammates over the years: pasta parties, post-game Rev Burger dinners, etc. My teammates have made my time on this team beyond special, as well as the coaches and my family for providing me this great opportunity. My freshman self would be beyond proud of the team we are today and how much we’ve all grown as players and people. I feel honored to be a part of the group of seniors who helped redefine what it means to be a part of Pingree hockey, and I’ve loved every moment of it.
Jimmy Keck: The thing that will stick with me the most is how well our group has bonded together over the 4 years. We have created a really strong bond as a class, which is very important to the team. Our success as a class has made this experience memorable. I think all of the above: teammates have played a huge role in creating a positive culture, and managers have always been super helpful to the team when we needed them. They allow us to play the game without worrying about the little things. The team culture has improved greatly from freshman year, and our overall level of play has improved so much. It is very fulfilling to have played with this group of guys for so long.”
After a historic career, the Class of 2025 resides among the top groups ever to rep the blue and green. Skating their way to being the winningest class in Pingree hockey history, this group has left their mark on the program, once again bringing true meaning to the Pingree hockey logo.
