2018 | Pennsylvania | BOYS

Bayard Rustin | Knights | BOYS

I have known Evan since 2007, when he first decided to play ice hockey for the inaugural Bayard Rustin Elementary Hockey team. As coach of the Rustin High School Ice Hockey team for the 12 years of the school’s existence, I can state that Evan has been an integral part of the success of this team. Evan has been a 3 year starter and each year, the team has won the Pennsylvania State Hockey Championship, culminating most recently in the 2016-17 US National High School Ice Hockey Championship. What has impressed me most about Evan is the character he demonstrates that, no matter what was needed for the benefit of the team, he would do so without any hesitation. As a natural forward, the team needed defensemen as a result of graduations and we approached him to drop back and play defense for the benefit of the team. Other players would have balked at the notion of playing defense, rather than the higher profile of a goal-scoring offensive player. Not only did he pick up the defensive slack, he was an important part of a 4-time state champion and current US national championship team. Evan consistently leads the team by example and is coaching the Junior Varsity High School team this year with one of the our assistant coaches. There are few that demonstrate the team mantra of “Heart, Character, Disciplineâ€_x009d_ any better than Evan.