January 22, 2024 – Story and photos by Joshua Ross
Sometimes it is difficult to measure the impact players have on a team until they are not there. For the first month of the season, the Harbormen were without their senior captain and went 3-3-1 averaging three goals a game in their wins. Since his return two weeks ago, the Harbormen are 4-1 and are averaging almost 6 goals in those four wins. This is why Travis Rugg is this week’s Athlete of the Week presented by College Hype. He has six goals in his first five games after returning from injury to the season.
“I’m very happy for Travis that he has rejoined our team and made such a big impact both on and off the ice,” says head coach Tony Messina. “Having him in the lineup makes us more of an offensive team.”
Fellow senior captain Jack Rakauskas says the team missed is leadership and impact on the ice when he was gone.
“For Travis to be back is great for the team he’s an amazing player with some of the best hockey IQ I’ve seen,” says Rakauskas. “He’s one of those kids that when you see step on the ice you get excited and have a good shift. Since he’s been back it’s helped lift the spirits of the team he’s one of those kids that everyone loves and looks up to so with him back there’s been a lot more energy. He’s just a huge part of this team and our offense and can’t be happier to have him back.”
The boys are in the heart of their schedule and will partcipate in the annual Ed Burns tournament for the top public schools in the state in the coming weeks as the number one seed.
Congrats and welcome back Travis!