Trey Howicz, a junior right-handed shooting defenseman and captain, leads the Marmion Academy drive this fall to skate past the seven other Chicago Catholic Hockey League (CCHL) teams and capture the club’s first-ever Kennedy Cup championship in the league’s milestone 60th anniversary.
“Every game and every practice we get better as a team and continue to build closer as a group,” said Howicz, who noted that the team also is driven to push far in the annual Illinois High School Hockey State Tournament. “There are many good teams in the CCHL and everyone is beatable. There isn’t as much of a powerhouse team as there (has been) over the last few years.”
Marmion is in fifth-place with a 5-8 record (15 points), behind Providence Catholic (18), Benet Academy (25), Fenwick (32) and Saint Ignatius (39).
“My personal goals are to continue to grow into a better player and always be learning more about the game that can help me later in my career,” said Howicz, who has 2 goals, 1 assist in 13 CCHL games.
Center Nolan Scheel leads the Cadets with 4 goals, 4 assists in league play, while center Andrew Mumford and defenseman Jackson Burgess each have 7 points.
Howicz, 16, who lives in South Elgin, formerly skated for the West Dundee Leafs CSHDL team. He was an assistant captain for the Cadets as a freshman and team captain last year as well. He often skates on defense alongside sophomore Alex Saling.
“I am a two-way defenseman who is always thinking defense-first, but also can jump up into a play and make something happen offensively,” he said. “I have improved from last season by working not just on my skating skill but also with our strength coach to focus on hockey-specific training, combined with nutrition focused on strength and recovery.
“I have improved from my freshman year on the ice by having patience with the puck and using the time and space I am given to make a play. Also, I have worked hard on my gap control and physical play.”
Howicz said the favorite goal of his career was his first varsity tally as a freshman “because that pushed me so much further to where I am today in showing I belong here,” he said.
Howicz is undecided on his college plans, but he wants to continue playing hockey.
“Playing at a higher level is what motivates me every game to perform at my best,” he said.
Slapshots With … Marmion Academy Defenseman Trey Howicz
Jersey Number: 3 – “The only significance behind it is that it means Tre or the third, so it goes with my first name.”
Highlight Goal: Scoring the game-winning overtime goal in a televised CCHL Game of the Week.
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Player: Cale Makar
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle
Favorite TV Show: “I don’t watch a lot of TV shows but right now I am watching Suits so I would say that.”
Favorite Pre-game Meal: “Before a game I usually eat something light, (such as) a few ounces of chicken and a protein bar.”
Favorite app: Spotify
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Tim Tebow
Best Hockey Tip: “The best tip I have been given was by Josh Boyko and Lord-Anthony Grissom, both of whom played for Aurora (University) and now are playing in the SPHL and the ECHL, respectively. The advice was, ‘Enjoy the grind.’
Hardest Slapshot on Marmion: Defenseman Jack McKay
Teammates Who You Could See As A Hockey Coach: Forward John Danz
Best High School Uniform (other than Marmion): Lake Forest
Hockey Superstition: “I always put on my left skate before my right skate.”
It’s A Fact: “Although I keep it to myself mainly, my faith in God is a huge part of my life.”
Surprisingly: “I am a very talented pencil drawer.”
Off The Ice: “I spend time with family and friends and focus on my studies.”
Sporting Life: “I have been playing competitive golf since I was 7. I play on the Marmion varsity team, and we made it (far in the) state (tournament) last year.”