Page epitomizes Winthrop hockey
WINTHROP — Charlie Page has the resume that would be the envy of most high school hockey players: Two-time Northeastern Conference All-League player, three-time league all-star and now 100 career points.
As good as those accomplishments are, anyone who knows Page will be quick to say it tells only part of the story about the high-scoring Winthrop High forward.
“What stands out is his character, how humble and respectful he is on and off the ice. You would have to search far to find anybody with anything bad to say about Charlie Page,” said Winthrop coach Dale Dunbar. “That all starts at home. His family has solid values and Charlie brings that to the locker room, to the school and the community.” Hockey is a vital part of the town and, for any youngster growing up in Winthrop, playing hockey for the high school is an important goal. Page is like everyone else talking of the pride in donning a Winthrop High uniform.
“It was definitely a dream come true for me,” said the 6-foot, 190-pound senior forward. “There have so many legends to play here like Dale (Dunbar) and Mike Eruzione. It’s a great hockey town and great to be able to play here.”
When Page arrived as a freshman, there was a familiar face to greet him — his older brother Chris, who’s playing at Stonehill.
“It was a great experience for me to be able to play with him my freshman year,” Page said. “I learned most of the game from watching him when I was young, so it was great.”
Page said it was an adjustment not playing with his brother as a sophomore, but it didn’t affect his play. He played a key role in leading the Vikings to a 16-4-2 season in 2015. He then ranked as one of the Northeastern Conference’s scoring leaders last season with 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 points.
Despite getting extra attention from the opposition, Page hasn’t slowed down. He has 12 goals this year, including four against Peabody and his 100th career point in last night’s 2-2 tie with Saugus, in helping the Vikings to a 6-1-1 start. Dunbar thinks Page has the potential to play hockey at the highest level.
“I think, with Charlie the sky is the limit,” said Dunbar, who played at Boston University then parts of two seasons with the Vancouver Canucks and Bruins. “With a year or two of junior hockey, Charlie will open up a lot of eyes and I think he can play at the highest level of Division 3 or even Division 1. His work ethic and approach to the game is second to none.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Charlie playing at a Division 1 school.”