SMALL WONDERS: Rochester youth hockey team has a season for the ages

Players and coaches exult after winning the NH Amateur Hockey League title in March. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - They're looking forward to their celebratory pool party in June after winning back-to-back league championships in March and April, but for right now, they're just soaking up the limelight and the sun on a sunny spring day.
The Rochester Blackhawks play in the New Hampshire Amateur Hockey League and the Central Valley League out of Massachusetts, The team plays and practices at the Rochester Arena from September to April, and the practice paid off.

The 10U Blackhawks get rink-side instructions during one of their games

Head coach Cody Chisholm helped guide the 10-under squad to an incredible record and two separate league championships, focusing on a team spirit and selfless play.
"Cody got them to buy into a teamwork idea," said Zeke Lapierre, an assistant coach. "No showboating, you celebrate as a team, and this team had a great chemistry."
During the regular season the Blackhawks went an incredible 19-0-1 in the New Hampshire league, and 33-4-1 in the Massachusetts league.
In the Granite State League final they defeated the Northern Cyclones 5-1 on March 2.
In the Massachusetts tournament finals they defeated Beverly 3-0 on April 6.
Lapierre said he'd never coached on a team that had had such unparalleled success.
"At our April banquet it was announced this Rochester Blackhawks team was the first-ever to win both titles." he said.
Rochester Blackhawks players:
Jacoby Toussaint
Thomas Jamer
Finnegan Chisholm
Thomas Murtagh
Hudson McMaster
Will Gagnon
Knox Lapierre
Xander Courtney
Karson Clough
Nicklaus Reinert
Travis Trombley
Maxwell Valence
Cannon Lapierre
Erik Parke
Vincent Valence
Lucas Trepanier

Coaches:
Cody Chisholm (head coach)
Ryan Trepanier
Andrew Courtney
Zeke Lapierre
Aaron Murtagh