2021 | Massachusetts | GIRLS

PLNR Girls Hockey | Tanners | GIRLS

Jen Flynn has been an integral member of the Peabody/Lynnfield/North Reading girls high school hockey team for four years. Given her outstanding leadership, Jen was a two-year captain and was the sole captain for our team this season. Captain selection is difficult every year; they set the tone for the season as well as influence and inspire their teammates. Jen is a natural leader – she consistently rose to every occasion, tackled every challenge we threw at her especially this year which was even more difficult than usual. She puts the team first, leads by example, inspires those around her, has positive relationships with coaches and teammates, embodies the core values of the team, works hard and perseveres, and steps up without hesitation when the team needs her. I have never encountered this level of leadership and maturity in my 12 years of coaching; she is truly in a class of her own.
 
Jen is a hard-working, strong center in all three zones, and one of our most consistent players. I have never worried about a lack of effort or the example she sets for the team. She has the ability to take over games, but she consistently put the needs of the team ahead of her own. Jen looked for ways to support the team and help us accomplish our goals. In February, she concluded her senior season with 91 career points. This makes her the second all-time scorer in program history. While quite the accomplishment, she finished 9 short of her personal goal of 100 career points. The condensed season and the prioritization of defense over offense contributed to this. Her actions helped the team to finish at the top of the Northeastern Hockey League for the third consecutive season including a program record 10-game winning streak and eased the burden on a first-year starting goaltender.
 
Jen is our most frequently played forward but was only on the ice for 4 goals against during the entire 2020-2021 season. We played 6 games in February and she was not on the ice for a single goal against. She scored 15 points (7 goals and 8 assists), this was 1 point back from first on the team. At times, we had a depleted D core, so we’ve also used her as a defender on the penalty kill. This helped to stabilize our penalty kill at critical moments.
 
In addition to these athletic achievements, Jen is a member of the National Honor Society and has volunteered at Peabody’s Wack-A-Puck and Learn to Skate. I was not aware she was volunteering at Learn to Skate. I was contacted by a fellow coach who has a daughter in the program to let me know what a great job she was doing.