By Warren Kozireski —
“I’ve been an underdog my entire life; I used to be by no means drafted to any junior leagues and by no means made any competition groups. All the time the alternate, so I undoubtedly have a chip on my shoulder.”
Niagara captain Jay Ahearn is greater than proving everybody flawed as he sits atop the Purple Eagles scoring record with 15 objectives and was a point-per-game participant with 30 factors over the primary 29 video games this season.
However school hockey didn’t begin properly.
“My first 12 months I needed to medically redshirt; I tore my labrum they usually needed to put 9 anchors in and I used to be out for 9 months,” Ahearn stated. “After which my second 12 months I performed 4 video games earlier than I broke my arm in follow off of a slapshot. Freak accident in order that was unlucky.”
Final season, sporting the “C,” Ahearn posted 26 factors in 34 video games. Now he’s listed as a senior on the roster, however due the time misplaced with accidents, he has one 12 months of eligibility remaining subsequent season. He’ll use that to enroll in a finance graduate program.
“My dad works on Wall St. and my grandfather labored on Wall St. in order that has potential.”
Earlier than Niagara, the Staten Island native break up three years between his Monsignor Farrell highschool workforce and Mercer Chiefs within the AYHL earlier than shifting away from dwelling to play with the North Jersey Avalanche for 2 seasons.
“They allowed that (taking part in for 2 groups) again then. My Mercer workforce was good; we have been all the time a prime 20 workforce, however my highschool workforce wasn’t superb however I obtained to play with a few of my greatest pals and people are recollections that I’ll have without end.”
“My 18-U workforce (North Jersey) misplaced within the nationwide championship after which the subsequent 12 months we have been primary all 12 months and covid shut us down.”
Then got here a breakout marketing campaign within the NAHL with the Johnstown Tomahawks the place Aheran netted 31 objectives and 31 assists over 52 video games that put him on many coaches’ radar.
“I obtained a name from (assistant) coach Mark Phalon on I imagine it was Dec. 8, 2020, and we talked up till February. I obtained my provide February 8th after which I dedicated February 17th of that 12 months. It was a extremely cool course of.”
Aheran additionally leads the workforce this season in photographs and first objectives and is tied for the workforce lead in shorthanded tallies as he sees ice time in all conditions.
Nonetheless proving them flawed and perhaps one of many few in Niagara hockey historical past to put on the “C” for 3 seasons.
(Pictures by Niagara Athletics)
