New Trier Captures Its First JV Blue State Championship Since 2010
By Ross Forman
New Trier sophomore goalie Jacob Myers had a three-game shutout streak, capped Friday, March 13, in the Illinois High School Hockey JV Blue State Championship Game.
The No. 3 Trevians defeated No. 5 Brother Rice 4-0 for the title, the school’s first JV crown since 2010.
“This was awesome; I’m kind of stunned,” Myers said. “I’ve never made it this far; this is my first-ever state championship.
“If I’m being completely honest, I thought there was a lot of luck. I had good positioning and gave myself the best opportunities I could.”
Freshman Drake McNerney, who tallied two goals, said: “We couldn’t have done it without Jake; he’s been a brick wall.”
McNerney netted the key second period goal, giving New Trier a 2-0 edge on assists from Lucas Linehan and Burke Harris – on the Trevians’ first shot of the period.
“We were getting beat in the second period,” McNerney said. “Then, on a three-on-one, the (rebound) went to me and I buried it; that felt great.
“This is the best feeling in my hockey career, no question. This was awesome; it doesn’t get any better than this.”
New Trier head coach Brandon Warnes added: “That (second goal) was huge, just what we needed; it killed their momentum.”
Luke Maynard scored the game-winning goal at 5:15 of the first period, assisted by Harris and … Myers, of all people.
The Trevians iced the win as the clock ran out in the second period. Lucas Linehan scored, assisted by Kyle Reed and Jonathan Ornstein, and the Trevians walked into the locker room ahead 3-0.
“It was a good game,” Warnes said. “We knew we had a special group at the start of the season with so much skill. We knew there wasn’t a team in the state that we could beat. We proved it tonight.
“The difference was, (we) played with speed and they couldn’t keep up, especially early in the game. Jake Meyers was a stud – cool, calm and collected. Never gets too excited or too down – and that’s what you need out of a goalie.
“He has been so clutch. I was very proud of him today, but not shocked. He’s been lights-out for us all year.”
Brother Rice head coach Colin Ries was proud of his team, too: “The kids battled, pushed through, but just couldn’t get a goal. Everything they did was right. I couldn’t be prouder of this team.”
Meyers faced 21 shots, including 12 in the second period.
Brother Rice goalie Colin Palcu faced 19 shots.
“I couldn’t be any more proud of these guys, representing the school and this program,” said New Trier Green head coach Adam Cheris, joined at the JV game by his coaching staff, New Trier White head coach Jeremy Ellis and about 80-plus players from various New Trier teams, including Green captain Jack Hirschtritt and Green goalie Max Reed.
“Watching these guys gets me super excited for the future.”
The JV Trevians also won the SHL Playoff Championship, defeating Lake Forest Gold, 2-0.
“Each year, we try to develop the best program. Every player has their eyes on Green. The question is, how do you get them to Green?” Cheris said. “This year, we took a developmental model and it worked. The JV team has an incredible coaching staff and the kids came together like we want all teams to come together, forming a brotherhood and clicking together.
“As the season got going, they really got going and were developing as one. That’s what this program is all about – developing as one.”