Winning provincial banner great way to end high school hockey career: NKEC captain
If Justin Allen never plays another hockey game, he’ll always know he went out a winner.
In his final high school game, Allen was the captain of the NKEC boys’ hockey team that won the NSSAF D-2 boys’ provincial banner March 29 on the Eastern Shore.
“It’s my first-ever provincial championship,” said the 17-year-old Canning resident. Allen played the past two years with the Titans and served as captain this season.
NKEC has now won five provincial titles, but it hadn’t won provincials since 2012, making it a new experience for all of this year’s players.
“Last season, we won regionals and hosted provincials, but didn’t do so well,” he said.
Overcoming adversity
This year, NKEC overcame a lot of adversity just to qualify for provincials. At one point in the season, the team was down to its third goalie, Grade 9 student Harrison Boutilier, who “did a great job for us,” Allen said, until the regulars returned.
The team was unable to play a number of regular season games in February due to the weather, which also cancelled several days of school.
The postponed games could not be made up, leaving the NKEC players with a shortened season. The team, however, won the regional and provincial banners.
Allen was asked to be captain at the start of the season, and head coach Colin Duncan never regretted his choice.
“He’s one of the greatest captains we’ve had,” Duncan said. “He’s respected by everyone in the school simply by how he carries himself and the way he treats people – one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.”
For his part, Allen says it was “an honour to be chosen captain in my Grade 12 year,” especially where he was only in his second year with the team. “It’s definitely something I’ll never forget, especially given the way the season ended.”
Passion for the puck
Allen grew up in Canning watching the NKEC teams play. He played some softball at NKEC, but readily admits hockey is his main sport.
“I’ve played since I was five years old,” coming up through the Acadia Minor Hockey ranks. “I played for Acadia up to midget, and then the last two years with NKEC.”
The camaraderie of the team is a big draw for Allen.
“I like the fact it’s a team sport, and that you get to meet, and play with, a lot of great people. It’s like a brotherhood,” he said, adding that he also likes the physical part of the game.
As for his future in hockey, Allen acknowledged he may well have played his last competitive game.
“I thought about maybe trying Junior B, but I’m accepted into community college for plumbing. I’m looking at a career in the trades,” he said.
Strong team
Allen readily acknowledged a big part of NKEC’s success, both this year and over the school’s history, has been the strength of the coaching.
“The coaching has been great for as long as I can remember,” he said. Duncan is a great leader, he said, and assistants Derek Atwater, John Curry and Joe Keddy “have all been around for a long time. They’re a great group of coaches who work well together.”
Also among NKEC’s strengths were team depth and speed. There were no obvious stars; in fact, the team’s two leading regular season scorers, Jonah Vidito and Kyle Keddy, are both in Grade 10.
“We had great depth,” Allen said. “Three strong lines that could score at any time.” The players fed off each other, and off the adversity of losing several players to injuries.
“Our team speed was another big factor for us.”
Allen described the provincial championship as the highlight of his career.
“Maybe the last game of hockey I’ll ever play ends in a provincial title. It’s quite a feeling,” he said. “I grew up watching NKEC play and win championships. It was always a dream of mine to someday play for my school. I got to do it, serve as captain, and win provincials besides. It’s something I’ll remember for a long time.”
Asked what he will remember most about the season as a whole, other than the championship, Allen said, “my teammates, an incredible bunch of guys.
“We’re very close, on and off the ice. It helps you develop relationships that you’ll never forget, and friends you’ll likely have for a long time.”