The sole Sanford player on the Knighthawks hockey team leads Class A in goals scored
Ayden Lockard isn’t ready to hang up his skates just yet.
The Sanford senior and sole Spartan who plays on the Marshwood/Noble/Traip/Sanford hockey team (MNTS Knighthawks) has made an incredible impact on the ice.
Nominated by the Portland Press Herald as a player to watch at the start of the season, Lockard hasn’t disappointed. With regular season play concluded, he finished first in Class A in the state for goals scored (23).
Lockard has been playing hockey for 13 years. “[It] takes great dedication as I’ve traveled all over the country to play,” said Lockard.
Two weeks ago, the team was ranked ninth in Class A, and only the top eight teams make playoffs. The Knighthawks pulled off a four-game winning streak; Lockard had 10 goals in three games. They are now in sixth place and will play Bangor on the road on Friday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m.
“The game will be a very physical matchup as Bangor has a very physical game-play with a very quick goalie,” Lockard said.
Last year was Lockard’s first playing for a high school team, earning Class “A” All-State Second Team honors. Previously, he’s played for the Manchester Monarchs, Granite State Wild and the Seacoast Spartans.
He hasn’t let being the lone Spartan on the team deter him from competing. “It’s a great experience learning how other schools view the sport and how kids from other schools bring a competitive edge,” he said.
Lockard describes high school hockey as “a grind”, noting early wake-ups for practices and late nights for games. He thanks his parents for their support and commitment and his coaches for pushing him and turning him into the hockey player he is today.
While Lockard isn’t planning on playing hockey in college, he’s got big hopes for the Nighthawks this season. His goal is to help bring his team to the state championship.
“He and his teammates have reached a level of success that we have not experienced with hockey in a long time,” said Athletic Director Zach Lemelin, “and that is a credit to their ability to gel as a team with players from different high schools.”
Lockard is committed to playing college lacrosse at Nichols College (Dudley, Mass.) next fall.
“Ayden is a terrific three-sport athlete who works incredibly hard,” said Lemelin. “I have been thrilled to see him perform at such a high level.”
The Spartan Times 