Boys Hockey: Six Highland Park players picked for all-star tilt
by bob gosman Contributors January 24, 2012 9:04PM
Highland Park's Zachary Putlak (left) tries to muscle Deerfield's Henri Beaudoin behind the net during Saturday's game at Twin Rinks. Highland Park won the game 6-2. | John Konstantaras~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:45AM
The Metro North All-Star Game, which will be held at the Northbrook Sports Center on Sunday (7:45 p.m.), is going to have a distinct Highland Park High School feel to it.
One team will be coached by Highland Park mentor Sean Freeman, and he plans to start all six of his all-stars: Alex Block, Alec Shapiro, Zach Kalter, Noah Pickus, Jordan Fox and Mike Gordon.
“It’s a tip of the cap to my players,” Freeman said.
A couple of years ago, Highland Park would have had no chance to produce that many all-stars. But this season, the Giants have improved dramatically, proving they can play with any team in the state.
Kalter, listed as a defenseman, is undersized, but more than makes up for it with his maturity and competitiveness.
“He does everything,” Freeman said. “He’s the coach on the ice. He sets the tempo and plays bigger than his size. He’s always ready to go.”
Kalter has been a captain since his sophomore year.
“He’s our Derrick Rose,” Freeman said. “We (identified) his potential and leadership when he was a young player.”
Block, a forward who has 19 goals, is another so-called coach on the ice for the Giants.
“We tweaked our system a little bit, and he makes sure the guys are playing the system; he’s very vocal,” Freeman said. “He can also (distribute) for his teammates.”
Shapiro has excelled in his first season, playing mostly center. Previously, he was a defenseman.
“What a great transition,” Freeman said. “He’s really (responded).”
Pickus, a sophomore forward who ranks among the conference leaders in scoring, is one of the state’s most improved players.
“He’s a powerful skater and he makes every shot count,” Freeman said.
Fox, also a forward, has made a major contribution since his freshman year.
“He has no ego and is willing to do all the work,” Freeman said. “We knew he would be a cornerstone of the program.’
Freeman said that goalkeeper Gordon has found his, “inner Mike.” In other words, he’s spending less time dwelling on the last shot and more time focusing on the next one.
“He used to give up a goal and spend days thinking about it,” Freeman said. “Now, he’s much more constructive with himself. It’s made a big difference.”
Warriors whipped: Highland Park defeated Deerfield 6-2 during Senior Night on Saturday. The Giants scored the first three goals before Deerfield answered with two tallies of its own. From there, the Giants reasserted control to win, improving their league mark to 15-3-4.
Reserve goalie Ethan Fischbein earned the victory.
“Ethan would like to play more, but he’s a real good sport about it,” Freeman said. “He keeps working hard in practice and the way he supports Mike Gordon is pretty impressive.”
The Giants followed up that victory with a 3-2 win over Mount Carmel on Sunday.
“We’ve been playing well for a long time, but I don’t want the kids to be satisfied with where they are at,” Freeman said. “We have to keep (improving) and moving forward.”
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