With the division realignment in the Fed this season and the loss of some of last season’s key players, nothing came easy this season for Niagara Falls hockey. That included defenseman Nick Lepine’s awards at the Fed and state level. Lepine didn’t expect an easy season, which meant that he expected more out of himself.
“Just that I would have to really step it up and really try harder than last year,” Lepine said. “We lost a lot of guys, so it was harder on the D end, so I had to step it up there.”
Lepine was named to the junior Bowman Cup team, the All-Fed large school team, and was an honorable mention at the state level.
“I was very surprised,” Lepine said of the Western New York honors. “I wasn’t really expecting it, but it definitely felt good. I was really happy to hear it.”
His reaction to the state honors was along the same lines.
“I was very surprised at that too, obviously, but that definitely made my day also,” Lepine said. “My coach called me and told me, and that was just a great feeling to get rewarded for all the hard work.”
Niagara Falls coach Stan Wojton was present at the state championships in Buffalo and at the meeting when Lepine was selected as an all-state honorable mention. At the time, Wojton said that the honor was one he’d hoped for his player to receive from the beginning of the season.
Today via email, Wojton said that the most impressive thing about Lepine is his character.
“Nick is a quiet young man who always does the right thing, whether a coach, teacher, or parent is watching,” Wojton explained. “He is a respectful young man whose work ethic was contagious this past season for NFHS Hockey. Nick is a talented and gifted hockey player who puts the team first, individual accolades are nice and welcomed, but Nick is a student athlete who wants to see the team succeed above his own personal accomplishments. As a coach, I’m very fortunate to coach a young man like Nick Lepine.”
A junior now, Lepine has been on the varsity team since eighth grade, and Wojton has enjoyed watching the defenseman develop into the player he is today — one who’s willing to fill whatever role the team needs. Lepine complemented his defense with two goals and six assists in 16 regular season games.
“Nick was a very important part to the success of our team this past season; in addition to his high character, he was a workhorse for our team,” Wojton said. “Nick played in all situations — 5v5, powerplay, penalty kill — you name it, Nick was involved. Nick wasn’t content with being involved, he strived to be a better player or make a larger impact with every opportunity. Nick, quiet by nature, was a leader on our team. When asked to do something, whether on the ice or off the ice, without hesitation Nick was leading the way. Throughout the year Nick works hard at his craft, skating multiple times weekly, always striving to become a better player. Nick has progressed immensely since his first varsity game as an eighth grader.”
Wojton, of course, thought that Lepine was more than deserving of the all-state honorable mention, especially after watching the best teams in the state play at HarborCenter in March. And it was more than just hockey that earned him the honor.
“I thought it was important for Nick to be recognized for his hard work and dedication to the team because Nick is the model student athlete,” Wojton said. “In school, Nick works hard for the grades he achieves, which is the most important value as a student athlete. Secondly, positive character, team-first mentality, and physically gifted play has to be recognized. Nick may not have put up the points as some, but he had a greater responsibility to his team; a leader and role model all while being a highly skilled and successful defenseman. Most plays start from the defensive end, and Nick was the quarterback or leader on the ice making the creative play to set the tone for a positive outcome. Being fortunate to watch sectionals, regionals, and then the state tournament this past year, Nick Lepine deserved the honor of all state honorable mention. His physical skill set matched and exceeded many of the high talented players in New York State.”
And the respect Wojton has for Lepine on and off the ice is mutual.
“He’s a great coach,” Lepine said of Wojton. “He’s all about the players. He just wants what’s best for all the players. He’ll help you out, whatever you need. He’s just a really good coach all around. Not just hockey, but outside of hockey in school. He’s just a really nice guy.”