Male:

BRAD POTTER, Senior—Hockey

* Holt Conference Player of the Year

* Holt Conference All-Conference team

* Holt Conference leading scorer

* Team MVP

* Team’s leading scorer

* Captain

Potter emerged as one of the best players in New England and we haven’t heard that last of his exploits on the ice.

Potter, a Freeport native, started playing hockey at a young age and came to NYA for middle school. In addition to playing golf and tennis, he’s excelled on the ice, playing as a center on the varsity team for all four years.

This winter, Potter, a center, played 26 games for a very competitive team against some of the best teams in New England and he scored 18 goals and added 23 assists, good for 41 points.

“I’m always passionate about hockey,” Potter said. “I’m very competitive. Winning is always a goal.”

Potter finished in the top five in New England Prep Division I in scoring, finished with 104 career points and earned several honors for his play.

Potter will become the rare Maine high school player who will step right up and play at the next level. He’ll matriculate at Bowdoin College next year and figures to continue to impress.

He certainly had a solid high school career, capped by a superb senior season. Brad Potter, North Yarmouth Academy’s Winter Male Athlete of the Year, has parlayed his passion into an ability to play at the highest level.

Coach Eric Graham’s comment: “Brad’s a great story. He stuck with us to build up our program when he had many other options. Since his freshman year, Brad’s been the focal point of our team’s offense. He has natural talent, but it’s his work ethic that got him to the point where he was pursued by college coaches. His improvement in all areas has been a result of countless hours in the gym and on the ice. He brings a great attitude to the team every day and found his individual leadership style as he matured. The program has improved a great amount the last four years and Brad’s been a very big part of that. To get recruited to Bowdoin as a true freshman is very unique. Bowdoin found a gem right in their backyard. He’ll be missed, but has left his legacy on the program for others to follow.”

Previous winners:

2013-14: Michael McIntosh (track)

2012-13 T.J. Daigler (hockey)

2011-12: Asad Dahia (basketball)

2010-11: Ian Moore (skiing)

2009-10: Henry Sterling (track)

2008-09: Henry Sterling (track)

2007-08: Ian Nichols (swimming)

2006-07: Chris Engel (swimming)

2005-06: Rob Carpenter (track)

2004-05: Tim DeLuca (basketball)

2003-04: Dan Bartlett (hockey)

2002-03: Steve Lawrence (hockey)

2001-02: Matt Smith (hockey)

Female:

ALEX BARNES, Senior—Hockey

* Captain

When Barnes first laced up her skates, she thought she was Olympics-bound. She won’t reach those lofty heights, but will graduate as one of the finest girls’ hockey goalies this area has produced.

Barnes started out as a figure skater, then started playing hockey at the age of six. She thought she was on the fast track to greatness and indeed she was, just at a different level than the Olympics. Barnes’ goaltending debut was far from auspicious, as she faced 17 shots and managed to save only one of them, but it wasn’t long until she emerged as a star.

Barnes played four years of varsity ice hockey and spent four years playing field hockey as well, playing an integral role on a team which was always in the title mix. After honing her game and being named MVP of the Hockey Night in Boston Showcase during the summer, Barnes’ final ice hockey season was one to remember.

Barnes posted several shutouts, faced close to 40 shots per game and made 50 saves in the Panthers’ biggest win of the season, an upset over Berwick Academy, a victory Barnes called her highlight of the year. Prior to that game, Mike Eruzione (who truly was an Olympic hero) dropped the puck.

For the season, Barnes saved nearly 95 percent of the shots she faced and had a goals against average of 2.25.

Barnes has attended goalie camps, played for the U-19 Gladiators travel team, as well as other premier squads, and is playing lacrosse this spring, She is a member of Make-A-Wish and has made her own wish come true by earning a chance to play collegiately at the College of the Holy Cross.

She certainly has come a long way from her first game between the pipes. Alex Barnes, North Yarmouth Academy’s Winter Female Athlete of the Year, ended her high school career in style and has much to look forward to.

Coach Brooks Boucher’s comment: “Alex was the backbone of our team. She’s a great leader on and off the ice. She worked hard every day and stepped up in big games. She had a great work ethic. Every day she came in with a smile on her face. She’s one of the best players I’ve coached. She was a coach’s dream.”

Previous winners:

2013-14: Sonia Lin (swimming)

2012-13: Sonia Lin (swimming)

2011-12: Morgan Scully (basketball)

2010-11: Blair Haggett (basketball)

2009-10: Emily McKinnon (swimming)

2008-09: Courtney Dumont (hockey)

2007-08: Courtney Dumont (hockey)

2006-07: Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)

2005-06: Ingrid Knowles (Nordic skiing)

2004-05: Kathryn Engel (swimming)

2003-04: Teddy Fortin (hockey)

2002-03: Bobbi Dennison (basketball)

2001-02: Ashley Spicer (basketball)

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter:@foresports.

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