Program announces Players of the Month for February/March
March 19, 2025
The Ohio AAA Blue Jackets are proud to announce the program's February/March Players of the Month presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods. A new initiative this season, these awards are issued to one member from each team. Honored are student-athletes that excel on and off of the ice, demonstrate our holistic development model and represent the program's core values of process, respect, integrity, determination and excellence.
18U (2006/07) - Owen Case
Currently in his 4th season as a AAA Blue Jacket, Case has shown consistent and tremendous growth over time. A key contributor on the blue line, Case stepped up big time for his team in the district tournament, playing his best hockey of the season at the most important time, posting 4 assists in 4 games and helping the 18U team win Mid-Ams and advance to the National Tournament. A smart and efficient defenseman, Case has been an impactful and versatile player all season. Through 56 games this season, he has tallied 6 goals, 31 points and 37 points while also being relied upon on both special teams. A graduate of Dublin Jerome High School, Case finished school with a 3.8 GPA and was a part of the National Honor Society. He is tendered with the NAHL's Shreveport Mudbugs for next season. Case and the 18U team will compete in the USA Hockey National Championships in Pittsburgh, PA at the beginning of April.
16U (2008) - Andrei Gudin
Andrei made an immediate and significant impact as he joined the program for the 2024-25 season. A highly skilled and dynamic player, Gudin's passion for the game of hockey and overall competitiveness made him an every day leader for the 16U team. At the Mid-American district tournament in March, Gudin racked up 7 goals and 12 points in 3 games. In 66 games this season, Andrei finished with an incredible 77 goals, 65 assists, 142 points and a +67 rating. His impact helped lead the team to a 42-16-8 record on the season. Beyond his statistics, Andrei was an outstanding role model for his teammates through his work ethic, commitment and every day approach to development.
16U Girls (2008/09) - Luka Lecorchick
One of the founding members in the organization since the girls program was reintroduced in 2022-23, Luka finished this season tied for second in scoring for the 16U Girls, including very strong finish with 4 goals, 3 assists and 7 points in her final 10 games played. Overall, Lecorchick has shown great improvement with her offensive contribution and is always relied upon to play in all situations. She is a consistent player that brings focus and effort in practice and is always quick to help out her teammates. Off of the ice, Luka carries a 3.5 GPA while taking honors classes at Dublin Jerome High School. She has also volunteered with the Blue Jackets Hockey League, sled hockey and other girls hockey initiatives.
15O (2009) - Cruz Cassels
A steady, and consistent contributor all season, Cassels was a leader for the 15O team in 2024-25. He finished the season strong with 6 points in the final month, while helping the team to a 3-1 record in the T1EHL playoffs in Minnesota. At the Mid-Am district tournament, Cassels finished with 2 points in 3 games. Over the course of the season, Cruz contributed 14 goals and 29 points. He was the team's top face-off man and was a valuable member of the power play. His willingness to compete and his positive attitude contributed to his success and make him a trusted and reliable player. In the classroom, Cassels maintains a 4.0 GPA as a freshman.
14U (2010) - Jack Joly
A high character kid with a great work ethic, Joly stepped up for the 14U team at the end of the season, playing heavy minutes down the stretch while helping lead the 2010's to overtime of the district championship game. In his final 11 games, he tallied 4 goals, 2 assists and a +6 rating, and showed up when it mattered most by playing his best hockey at districts. One of the team's biggest leaders on and off of the ice, Joly commands the respect of his teammates each and every day. A freshman at Upper Arlington High School, Joly maintains a 3.95 GPA. He also runs for the school's track team and plays the cello in the school orchestra.
14U Girls (2010/11) - Ellie Maksim
An intense and self-driven player, Ellie Maksim played a major role in helping the 14U Girls team become the first girls team in program history to win the Mid-American district and advance to the National Tournament. Maksim currently leads the team in scoring with 36 goals, 11 assists and 47 points in 53 games played this season. At the district tournament, she scored 2 critical 3rd period goals to defeat Pens Elite in the championship game. She leads by example in practice by setting the tempo and pace. Ellie is always working hard and pushing her teammates to do the same. Away from the ice, Ellie also excels in academics, where she carries a 4.0 GPA at the Columbus School for Girls. She is active in various clubs at CSG and is the middle school student council secretary for the 24-25 school year. Maksim participates in multiple school sports, including field hockey, cross country, basketball, track and lacrosse. She was team MVP for CSG's middle school field hockey and cross country teams during the 2024 season. Ellie and the 14U Girls will participate in the USA Hockey National Championships in Marlborough, MA starting on April 1.
13O (2011) - Owen Baxendell
A consistent, high impact player for the 2011 birth year, Owen has been fantastic for the team down the stretch, helping lead the team emotionally and physically during their run to the 13O Mid-Am district title. In 4 games at the district tournament, Baxendell tallied 3 goals, 5 assists and 8 points. Over the past month, Owen has scored three game-winning goals while during a 10-3-1 stretch against a very challenging schedule. A hard worker on and off of the ice, Owen has improved his focus and discipline throughout the season. An 8th grader at Olentangy Shanahan Middle School, Baxendell is a straight A student while taking high school level and advanced classes. He and his teammates will compete in the USA Hockey National Championships in Plymouth, MI at the beginning of April.
12U (2012) - Will Bechtol
An imposing presence with strength and skill, Will Bechtol was a catalyst for the 12U team's success at the prestigious Quebec International Pee Wee Tournament, helping lead the team to an impressive 6-1 record at the historic event. Bechtol notched 3 goals, 7 assists and 10 points to go along with a +6 rating at the event, while his 7 points in tournament games were good for 7th overall. Over the course of the season, Will boasted a 29-36-65 line in 63 games. Will has shown tremendous personal growth both mentally and emotionally as he developed into a trusted leader for the team. A 7th grader at Liberty Middle School, Bechtol maintains straight A's while taking honors classes. He also enjoys skiing, fishing, sailing and being with his teammates.
12U Girls (2012/13) - Hallie Murdock
A dynamic, 2-way forward with exceptional speed, Murdock finished 3rd on the team with 17 goals this season. An extremely valuable member of the teams penalty kill unit, Hallie has also worked hard to improve her shot and overall offensive game. She is viewed as a leader by her coaches and peers as she consistently gives her best effort and is a tremendous teammate. She played a big role in the team's growth in 2024-25, which included a huge win over Pens Elite at the end of the season. A 7th grader at New Albany Middle School, Murdock is a consistent A/B student and takes advanced science. She also has a strong passion for her theatre class. A starter on her 7th grade softball team, Hallie is also an active member of the Church of Resurrection in New Albany.
11U (2013) - John Arvai
A consistent and dependable player in all situations, Arvai played a big role and has been a positive influence on the overall growth of the 2013 team in what was a successful season. A key contributor offensively, Johnny tallied 20 goals, 21 assists and 42 points in 2024-25. A quiet leader, he sets a great example and lets his play do the talking through his determination and competitiveness. He is a positive influence both on and off of the ice. A 5th grader at Arrowhead Elementary, Arvai also plays lacrosse and soccer for Olentangy in the spring.
10U (2014) - Isaac Cantrell
A well-rounded defenseman that has an impact at both end of the ice, Cantrell was a point per game player in the month of February, with 2 goals, 5 assists and a +4 rating. Issac is a passionate hockey player and you can see his love for the game in the way he approaches it every day. He shows up at the rink with a positive attitude and an internal drive to be the best player on the ice. His consistent effort every practice and every game is truly impressive at his age. Issac is a great teammate and encourages his peers while also pushing them every time he hits the ice for practice. A 5th grader at Columbia Middle School, Isaac is a honor roll student. He also enjoys art and plays soccer.
Congratulations to our players of the month for February/March 2025!
PLAYER OF THE MONTH ARCHIVES:
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
The Ohio AAA Blue Jackets program prides itself on being the premier youth hockey program in Ohio. With an every day mission to develop our student-athletes to reach their potential on and off of the ice, the program aims to provide a healthy and safe environment for the elite player to grow as a player, person and teammate through the great game of hockey.