Celebrating Jack Hirschtritt, the 2026 Illinois Player of the Year

By Ross Forman
New Trier Green senior center Jack Hirschtritt had a season to remember with miraculous and timely goals, highlight reel assists and a leadership level second to none.

“Jack Hirschtritt is the kind of player every team hopes to have,” said New Trier defenseman Kai Ouyang. “He leads by example with his work ethic, skill and the way he competes every shift. Jack consistently makes an impact on both ends of the ice and elevates the play of the guys around him. He’s not only a great player, but also a great teammate.”

The left-handed shooting Hirschtritt wore uniform No. 14 until high school but had to switch when his former number was taken – so he went with No. 13, to make it his own lucky number.

And that he certainly did this season, delivering astonishing plays and some super statistics. He led the Scholastic Hockey League in points: 35 in 26 regular season games, including a league-leading 22 assists. Overall this season, Hirschtritt ended with 28 goals and 44 assists in 57 games, including 5 unassisted goals and 2 game-winning goals.

Glenbrook North head coach Jeff Marks said Hirschtritt is a “super talented offensive threat with speed; he carried the team offensively.”

Saint Ignatius head coach Spencer Montgomery added: “Jack is a dynamic two-way player who is extremely dangerous in tight. He generates offense with deception, poise and relentless effort.”

To honor his season, his second playing for New Trier’s top varsity, AHAI named Hirschtritt the J.J. O’Connor Illinois Player of the Year.

“It’s a huge honor,” Hirschtritt said of the award. “There are so many super talented players in the league and state, so, to be recognized means a lot. It’s a reflection of 
all the hard work over the years, from 6 a.m. skates to 10 p.m. practices. Winning state again (this season) would have meant everything, but, being recognized like this is special and something I’m incredibly grateful for.”

The Trevians lost to Saint Viator in two memorable games this season: the SHL Playoff Final and the Illinois High School Hockey State Championship, played at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

“The SHL has a ton of great players, so, being selected out of such a talented group is special. It is something I am grateful for,” said Hirschtritt, 17, who lives in Wilmette.

Hirschtritt played his youth hockey for Wilmette before moving to the Trevians. He skated for New Trier Blue as a sophomore, then landed on Green for his final two seasons – he was teammates as a junior with his brother, Connor; and the Green captain as a senior.

“He is an absolute competitor,” said New Trier Green head coach Adam Cheris, who has known Hirschtritt since he was 5.

“He has a relentless drive to succeed in everything he does. When you see that translate to hockey, there’s no doubt why he won the Player of the Year Award – because he’s just that driven. He never wants to lose. He was one of the best role-model players I have ever seen. He lays it all out there every shift. You will always get 110 percent from him.
Fantastic kid, fantastic hockey player … what a career.”

Hirschtritt played this season alongside senior Jack Woleben and junior Dane Lohmeier. Hirschtritt was an All-SHL (first team) and all-state honoree. His diving pass to Lohmeier in the deciding game three of the Trevians playoff series against arch-rival Loyola Gold was a one-in-a-million play. He admitted that play was “unbelievable” and his favorite personal moment from the season.

Hirschtritt also was on the ice last season for the lone goal in the Trevians’ 1-0 state championship win over Benet Academy. And many within the New Trier program still debate whether Hirschtritt scored the game-winning goal or Ethan Baker. “I’ll always have that memory in my head,” Cheris said.

The Trevians lost 6-3 in the 2026 state final to Saint Viator.

“Winning the state championship my junior year … having that experience at the United Center in front of thousands of people, especially with my older brother was such a surreal experience,” Hirschtritt said. “Obviously, (losing this season) was tough and not the result we wanted. Viator is a great team with a great coach, Tim Benz, who coached me at Wilmette. It was tough to lose both titles, state and the SHL. At the same time, I am super proud of what our team accomplished and the way we played all year.

“We had an amazing season. We beat our rival Loyola Gold six times; we won the Pre-Season Tournament and a tournament in Arizona. It was a great season just because of the bonds we built, with so many new friendships that I’m sure will last a lifetime. I am so grateful for that. Also, the opportunity to be a captain of such an amazing group of guys allowed me to develop as a leader both on and off the ice.”

Hirschtritt will play varsity lacrosse for the second season this spring, a sport that certainly helped his hockey. 

“They both help the other – with conditioning, hand-to-eye coordination, quick decision-making and playing in physical, fast-paced situations,” he said.

He will attend Vanderbilt University in the fall and is planning to play for the school’s club hockey team.

Slapshots With … New Trier Green Forward Jack Hirschtritt

One Person: “My dad (Shelly) had the biggest impact on my hockey career. Since I was little, he was the one waking up early to take me to practices and games, spending countless hours driving to rinks, and always supporting me. He taught me the value of hard work, discipline and enjoying the game. Having someone who believed in me and was there every step of the way made a huge difference in helping me get to where I am today. He has always been my No. 1 fan.”
Coach Hirschtritt: “I could see him as a coach one day, and I would love that.” – Green head coach Adam Cheris
Straight-A Student: “School has always been important to me. I try to stay disciplined with my time so I can balance academics, sports and everything else going on. Even though I love hockey, I know it is not what I want to do for my career, so I have always been super focused on school.”
Brotherly Love: Connor Hirschtritt, 19, a freshman at the University of Virginia, was a Green forward for three seasons and the Trevians won state all three seasons. “I learned a lot about leadership from Connor. Watching the way he carried himself on and off the ice, how he supported his teammates, and how seriously he took every practice and game showed me what it means to be a leader and someone others can rely on.”
Off The Ice: “I spend a lot of time playing lacrosse. I also enjoy golfing and playing the 
guitar, and just spending time with friends and family. Those things help me relax outside of hockey.”
Superstitions: “As a junior, I always stretched at the same hash marks with linemates Dillon Himan and Cooper Sell. As a senior, I continued to stretch in the same spot, either alone or with Jack Woleben and George Knight.
Career Goals: “I am planning to study economics with a business minor.”
The Quote: “I’m grateful for my teammates, family and coaches—especially (Green) coaches Cheris, Charlie Widmar and Jack Raith, who supported me throughout my time playing for Green. It’s been an incredible experience that I’ll always appreciate.”
The Quote – About Hirschtritt: “He’s a super hardworking player (who) always battles hard and is a threat from anywhere on the ice. He did an excellent job leading New Trier Green.” – Saint Ignatius forward Grayson Rizzuti
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks 
Favorite NHL Player: Connor Bedard 
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Southpaw 
Favorite TV Show: Breaking Bad 
Motivational Song: Everlong by Foo Fighters 
Favorite Pre-game Meal: A turkey sandwich from Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Favorite app: Instagram or Snapchat 
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Connor McGregor 
Favorite High School Uniform (other than New Trier Green): Glenbrook North alternate