Barcless shines in Rookie of the Year season for Stevenson

Hockey has always seemed to come naturally for Trinity Barcless.

Barcless grew up in a hockey family and played in the Princeton Tiger Lilies system as a youth, plus the game was always fun

Would taking her game to the collegiate level bring the same joy and the usual success?

The answer is a resounding, yes.

Barcless played in 22 games as a freshman for Stevenson and scored four goals and added six assists to help lead the Mustangs to the inaugural Middle Atlantic Conference championship and the title game of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference.

And oh, along the way Barcless was named the MAC Rookie of the Year.

“It was very special to get that honor,” said Barcless. “When I found out I was really excited. It was at a time when we still had some games left so I wanted to make sure I went out and continued to play my game.”

Barcless has been playing for as long as she can remember.

“The running joke is that I was skating before I was walking,” she said.

Her dad, Chris, played hockey in college and has long been involved in youth hockey in the Mercer County area for years and coaches the Pennington School. Her mom, Claire, was a collegiate basketball and soccer player.

Her dad that introduced, instructed and brought her along on the ice.

“He’s the sole reason that I’m playing hockey,” said Trinity. “He has coached me my entire life and I had the chance to learn from the best. He has always been there for me. I could never thank him enough for everything he has done to help me along the way.”

After graduating from Notre Dame, where she also played volleyball, Barcless headed to Stevenson to study Criminal Justice, and wasn’t sure what to expect as a freshman, but to be prepared when the opportunity presented itself.

“Playing time was not something that was expected,” said Barcless. “But when the coach gave me the opportunity I took advantage of it. Hockey is a team sport and I was happy to be able to contribute the way I did. I hope to continue to contribute as we move forward.”

It was an auspicious beginning for Barcless and the Mustangs as they were 0-6-1 in their first seven games. But after a loss to Elmira, which finished No. 2 in the USCHO and D3hockey.com polls, Stevenson went 15-24.

“When we all came back from winter break something just clicked,” said Barcless. “We all played like we wanted it, and everyone contributed.”

Stevenson rode the wave to the conference title and the UCHC final before falling, and Barcless had plenty of fun along the way.

“Hockey has always been fun,” said Barcless. “I’m very happy to be playing on the collegiate level. It is more competitive, but it’s still all about having fun. I love the environment here and I’m doing well academically. I was always told that college should be the best years of your life and everything has really been great.”