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#MassProud 2021 Sportsmanship Award Recipients

By Mass Hockey, 07/15/21, 9:00PM EDT

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FIVE (5) SELECTED FOR 2021 MASSACHUSETTS HOCKEY'S SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Massachusetts Hockey is excited to announce our 2021 Sportsmanship Award recipients.

Hannah Gerlach (Pembroke, Mass.), Maeve Glavin (Norwood, Mass.), Christopher Lee (Braintree, Mass.), Erin Murray (Hanover, Mass.) and William Sullivan (Wellesley, Mass.) were all chosen from an extraordinary group of applicants.

Each chosen recipient will be receiving a $2000 stipend award to put towards their education costs.

This award has been able to honor and spotlight many Massachusetts Hockey players who celebrate the principles of good sportsmanship epitomized by the spirit of respect, dignity, courtesy, responsible behavior and fair play, not only in sports, but in all of life’s endeavors.

Read more below about each recipient and their plans for their future.


Hannah Gerlach

Hannah Gerlach, 18,  from Pembroke, graduated this spring from Pembroke High School. She plans to attend Saint Anselm College and study data science and analytics.

This three-sport athlete was captain of her Pembroke High School ice hockey and softball team. Plus, she spent a great deal of her time volunteering to coach for the Great Blizzards special hockey.

"Over the past four years Hannah has grown into not only a thoughtful young lady, but a leader. Well respected by her teammates, she was elected Captain this past season . . . Hannah is the epitome of sportsmanship, she is a caring, hardworking, intelligent young lady," said Coach Bill Flynn, Pembroke HS Girls Ice Hockey.

"Sportsmanship is an important part of a team because not only does a player need individual sportsmanship they need team sportsmanship. This past season, I was given the honor of being the Patriot League Individual Sportsmanship Award for my team. Additionally, my team received the overall league sportsmanship award; something we worked hard for and is a testament to our character and coaching,"  wrote Hannah in her application essay.


Maeve Glavin

Maeve Glavin, 19,  from Norwood, graduated this spring from Norwood High School. She plans to attend Sacred Heart University.

Maeve is involved in school clubs and volunteers with youth sports including learn to skate and youth soccer, on top of a challenging school schedule. She was a varsity soccer and hockey athlete at Norwood.

"In her four years of consistent ice time, she rarely found herself in the penalty box. As someone who played almost every other shift for four years and to have that few penalties speaks volumes to the player she is. She will work as hard as possible, but never takes aggression over the limit. When our team loses, she is the first to rally the team and start preparing them for the next game. It is her voice the coaches hear in the locker room before we enter," said Coach Michael Maloof, Norwood HS Girls Ice Hockey.

"Hockey along with other sports I have played in my life have contributed and will continue to contribute to my success in life as a person. It has taught me about compassion, hard work, and how to be a friend. I will continue to use these lessons in my future endeavors,"  wrote Maeve in her application essay.


Christopher Lee

Christopher Lee, 17, from Braintree, graduated this spring from Blue Hills Regional Technical School. He plans to study Mechanical Engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology this fall.

This hockey and golf player was voted Captain this past season by his peers on the Blue Hills hockey team. Christopher is a certified USA Hockey referee too.

“Rather than focusing on himself, Chris' character and sportsmanship drove him to help this student athlete on and off the ice. Chris' made sure that this student athlete was included in all team activities, including ensuring he had transportation to all pasta parties, practices, games, etc . . . Without Chris Lee and his dedication to sportsmanship this student athlete would have a far different high school experience which is truly a testament to Chris' high level of character," said Coach Mike Dalton, Walpole Express.

“Having sportsmanship is not about winning or losing. It is about how you treat coaches, referees, teammates, and opponents," wrote Chris in his application essay.


Erin Murray

Erin Murray, 19, from Hanover, graduated this spring from St. Marks School. She plans to attend and play hockey at Hobart and William Smith College.

She played both field hockey and ice hockey at St. Marks, while overcoming an ankle injury her first year attending St. Marks. Also, she participated with Hanover Youth Hockey and the Bay State Breakers.

"Sportsmanship, especially this year, goes beyond picking up an opponent’s stick or having a kind word for a referee. Perseverance, kindness, selflessness, and empathy for others can define sportsmanship as well. In a year like no other when none of us could not be faulted for thinking only of ourselves, there were people who thought of others. Erin Murray was one of those people who put her own dreams aside (for a while) and was there for others," said Coach Brian Kennedy, Bay State Breakers.

"Currently as a senior, I do my best to be outgoing and encourage the younger players all the time. If someone looks upset or frustrated, I’ll be sure to let them know I am there for them. I will always be my teammates biggest supporters," wrote Erin in her application essay.


William Sullivan

William Sullivan, 18, from Wellesley, graduated this spring at Wellesley High School. He plans to study sports management at Sacred Heart University in the fall.

William is a former long time player for Wellesley Youth Hockey. He was a varsity lacrosse player at Wellesley High. During high school he coached youth basketball and lacrosse for the Raiders.

"Will had decided a few years ago to take on the initiative to help the Veterans Service Office in Wellesley on his own and volunteer to support the Towns ceremonies. Wellesley, like many neighboring towns, has a Veterans Day and Memorial Day Ceremony. Will asked if he could volunteer. He got the entire team together to kick off the Ceremony and start the Pledge of Allegiance, then he volunteered to replace over 800 U.S. Flags on Veterans graves in our Woodlawn Cemetery, and assisted with a rollerblading brigade alongside of roughly 30 other WYHA Youth players to represent the team, the town, and support the annual remembrance events. As a Coach and Wellesley's Veterans Ceremonial Officer, these selfless acts add to the many reasons for my nomination. I believe his on-ice and off-ice leadership, sportsmanship, and community involvement encompasses everything this award stands for," said Coach Joe Oliveri, Wellesley Youth Hockey.

"My parents taught me to value respect and hard work, and hockey has taught me how to embody the powerful phrase "treat others the way you want to be treated." As a youth coach myself, I know how important it is to have these lessons to help you navigate through life. Valuing courtesy and kindness can help calm you down when you're upset and move conversations forward with respect," wrote William in his application essay.


Information for the 2022 Sportsmanship Award Application will be available on the Massachusetts Hockey website after January 2022.

Massachusetts Hockey Sportsmanship Awards

Information for the 2022 Sportsmanship Scholarship Application will be available on this Massachusetts Hockey website.