2018 | Indiana | BOYS

Lake Central White | Indians | BOYS

I have had the privilege of getting to know Samuel VanDenburgh the past two season’s while he was a member of my High School Varsity Hockey Team. As a new Coach to the the Lake Central Hockey Club for the 2016/2017 season, I felt it was necessary to get to know all my Varsity Hockey player’s before deciding on Captain’s for the season.

Samuel, from day one of practice, demonstrated that he wasn’t just a kid in skates. He proved to me that he was a hard worker in practice, proved that he was a good teammate, and more importantly, he proved that he was a good person. Samuel earned his role of assistant captain for the 2016/2017 season.

As I prepared for the start of the 2017/2018 Hockey Season, there was no doubt in my mind as to who deserved to be our Captain. Samuel VanDenburgh earned the right to wear the C for this season. Samuel continues to be my hardest working player at any event, whether it’s on ice, or off ice conditioning. He has a quiet confidence about himself and his abilities. He leads by example, but yet he is the first one to pick up a teammate who is down on himself. It’s really difficult to put into words what Samuel means to the team’s leadership, but Samuel definitely has it.
He is a respectful player on the ice, and off the ice. He is a remarkable student, as far as grades, and he also helps tutor other student athletes. This season, Samuel started a Christian talk group for our hockey players, a place where they could talk to fellow athletes without fear of being ridiculed. Once again, that’s Samuel looking out for everyone, and not just himself.

As a Coach, I’ve never had a player that demonstrates so many good qualities, but is so humble. It’s remarkable to see that in a High School student athlete.