Leavitt’s hockey program is building depth and loyalty.
AUBURN – The practice jerseys aren’t as flashy, the ice time isn’t in prime time and the games often go unnoticed.
For years, Leavitt Area High School has elicited chuckles from much of the storied hockey community surrounding Lewiston-Auburn. If you had any hockey talent at all, it was in your best interests to play at one of the three nearby Class A schools – Edward Little, Lewiston or St. Dom’s.
Things are starting to change.
“We have a much deeper team than even last season,” coach Fern Racine said. “We have four guys playing junior varsity right now that could be playing up here at the varsity level, and there are nine eighth-graders that are planning on playing next season, seven of which have a long hockey history.”
This season, there are four seniors, six juniors, four sophomores and three freshmen on the varsity roster at Leavitt, and the Hornets are in the thick of the Western Class B playoff chase at 7-9.
“We’re getting there as far as being competitive,” Racine said. “At the middle school level right now, the kids are playing teams from Class A areas like Skowhegan, Cony and Brewer, and they’re winning. In the next few years, this program is really going to be competitive.”
Woulda, coulda, shoulda
There is not much time in sports for the would haves and should haves, but in Leavitt’s case, there is room for at least one “what if.” What if athletes from Greene, Leeds and Turner played for the Hornets instead of transferring to another school?
“We’d be one of the best teams in Class B, and we’d be able to beat a lot of Class A teams, too,” senior Jimmy Cyr said. “Even now, we could be better than we are with the players we have. For me, I wanted to play hockey, but I wanted to stay here with my friends, so I did. It didn’t feel right to leave school. Hockey isn’t going to be my whole life, anyway.”
Five years ago, Cyr’s class included the likes of Edward Little forward Colby Gilbert and Lewiston forward Adam Longchamps, two players who would make Leavitt an instant contender in Class B.
Staying put
So why are there so many freshmen sticking around?
“I had a lot of friends here,” said freshman Evan Longchamps, brother of Lewiston senior Adam. “I saw what my brother went through, having to skip a year and all, and all I wanted to do was play. I have friends on this team, we work together well on the ice, and of course I like the school and the team atmosphere.”
With the younger Longchamps staying put, the team can only figure to keep a few more players who might have had visions of straying.
“I am not looking to go too far in my hockey career,” sophomore Justin Rouillard said. “It’s fun, and of course we all still care about winning, but it’s not an incredibly serious program.”
Stable at the top
One more reason several students might remain with Leavitt is a stable coaching system. When Racine took the helm last season, he was the fourth new head coach in five seasons.
“We’d like to think that some of it has to do with coaching,” Racine said. “We (assistant Ron Rouillard and Racine) want to be here for a while, and in a few years this team will definitely be up there and competitive with the Cape’s and the Yarmouth’s.”
But the Hornets might already be there. Less than a month ago, Leavitt dropped a tight-checking 3-1 decision to Yarmouth. Next week, on a special night where spectators get in free, the Hornets will host Cape Elizabeth.
“We believe that we can win that game now,” Racine said. “This group isn’t that far away.
The road ahead
With nine eighth-graders and several more seventh-graders with hockey roots, the future looks bright for the Hornets.
“I really think that by the time my junior and senior season come around, this program will be a really good Class B program,” said Evan Longchamps. “I don’t know that a lot of the players coming up are even thinking of going anywhere. I think the biggest thing is if one of their best friends stays here, so will they.”
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