Varsity boys hockey goalie Griffin Starr earned his first career varsity win on Wednesday in the Whalers 2-1 victory over Dennis-Yarmouth. Starr, a sophomore, has handled the pressure of being the successor to five-year starter James Culkins well, but there is more to Starr that makes his impact on Nantucket hockey extend beyond how he performs on the ice.
The Whaler girls hockey program is in the midst of their third season in program history. Head coach Liz Collins said despite having plenty of young, talented players, this was the first year her entire team from top to bottom knew how to skate in the first practice. As the program continues to develop, they have also needed to teach players the game of hockey, which is where Starr has played a significant role.
Collins said Starr has repeatedly dedicated his free time to helping her goalies learn the position. Often times Starr would practice for two hours with the junior varsity team and stay on the ice afterwards to work with the varsity team’s goalies despite being exhausted and sometimes struggling to stand, Collins said.
“I love Griff and this whole team loves Griff,” Collins said. “He was literally our goalie coach as an eighth grader and then as a freshman last year. He was so helpful.”
Starr has worked with several players, including former two-year starter Shea Harnishfeger who graduated in June and current varsity starting goalie Caroline Allen.
