Coaches will have an informational meeting with parents on August 27 at 7 pm at the rink in the MPR. 

Fall registration for the 2019-20 season is open on the Registration page.

David Wilcox

Brennan Nein

Player of the Year-David Wilcox

1st Team Goalie-Brennan Nein
1st Team Defense-David Wilcox
2nd Team Defense-Tim Burke

For complete SHL awards go to scholastichockeyleague.org

The SHL All ACADEMIC TEAM is made up of student athletes that have an accumulative 3.5 or better GPA. Spartans that have made the grade are:

Varsity
Matt Dahlke, Evan Izenstark, Casey Miller, Brennan Nein, Braden Roy, Charlie Slovis, Daniel Wilcox, Sam Levin

JV
Matthew Sasaki, Anthony Arakelian, Matthew Carr, Jordan Fliegel, Steven Liss, Kyle Burke, Lev Vaynberg-Movchan

Well Done!

-----------------------------

GLENBROOK NORTH SPARTANS SELECTED TO ALL STATE TEAM

GOALIE-BRENNAN NEIN

DEFENSMAN-DAVID WILCOX

DEFENSEMAN-TIM BURKE

All State game to be played 2/11 7pm at Bensenville

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HOME › ILLINOIS HOCKEY › HIGH SCHOOL › VARSITY DEFENSEMAN TIM BURKE PROVIDES PHYSICAL PRESENCE, A BIG SHOT, AND STALWART DEFENSIVE PLAY FOR THE SPARTANS

Varsity Defenseman Tim Burke Provides Physical Presence, a Big Shot, and Stalwart Defensive Play for the Spartans

BY ADMINISTRATOR on DECEMBER 26, 2018

By Gary Larsen

Tim Burke

Glenbrook North coach Evan Poulakidas always knew he had a tough competitor in defenseman Tim Burke, but after the Spartans lost their state semifinal game to eventual state champion Loyola Academy last year, Burke showed him something more.

“His face in the locker room told me everything you needed to know about him as a Spartan,” Poulakidas said. “He took it tremendously hard and I think it resonated with the entire team. When you see one of your leaders in that much pain, you realize how important the team succeeding meant to him.”

A player can play for himself or play for his team. Burke chooses the latter, and the loss to Loyola stung for an additional reason.

“It was hard to watch that happen to our seniors,” Burke said. “To think about all the work we put in and all the seniors I’ve played with for so long — that was devastating. “In the past I didn’t want to let the seniors down and now that I’m a senior, I don’t want to leave the younger players on a bad note.”

Now in his fourth season as a varsity player, Burke provides a physical presence, a big shot, and stalwart defensive play for the Spartans. That’s a far cry from three years ago, when he roamed the ice as a 5-foot-4 freshman. Burke hit the mother of all growth spurts later that year and now stands at 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds. That growth turned Burke from a small freshman who largely had to avoid getting hit, to a player able to provide a physical presence on the ice.

“I take that seriously,” Burke said. “Any time one of our players gets hits hard or there’s controversy in the game, I take it personally to step up and be physical when I need to be.”

Burke and fellow senior David Wilcox make up one of the best defensive duos you’ll find anywhere in Illinois. The two have played hockey together since first grade and while Wilcox is good friends with the Burke he knows off the ice, he appreciates a whole different person once the skates are laced up.

“He’s a great guy off the ice — almost the opposite of what he is on-ice,” Wilcox said. “On the ice he’s a little bit mean and he plays with an edge.”

Brennan Nein

Currently ranked third in Illinois in Ross Forman’s Top 20, Glenbrook North relies on a defense that features Wilcox and Burke in front of goalie Brennan Nein. All three played on Team Illinois in September, along with teammate Mike Day, in a North American Hockey League showcase tournament Sept. 20-23 in Minneapolis, MN. Team Illinois went 4-0 in the tournament and Burke had six points in four games in front of scouts from various junior hockey programs. Burke enjoyed putting up some offensive stats in Minneapolis, but that’s never been what he’s all about as a player.

“I pretty much grew up as a defenseman,” Burke said. “I’ve always been more comfortable there and always felt like I could impact the game most on defense.”

Defensemen obviously aren’t showered with the accolades that offensive players receive, but they still enjoy the less obvious moments that stand every bit as important.

“For me, I love when it’s a two-on-one and I can slide and block the pass, or make a play that stops them from scoring. A big hit is also really nice, and small things like having a clean breakout. David Wilcox and I work well in our own zone to get our team going when we’re struggling to get it out. It’s a big help to the team and it’s important. Those small things help our team a lot.”

Poulakidas puts it simply: “Tim is important to every aspect of our team game,” he said.
Burke and Wilcox make up one of the best defensive duos in the high school game and Burke appreciates Wilcox’s smarts, ability to move the puck, and leadership.

David Wilcox

Wilcox currently has 19 goals and 22 assists for GBN and is second on the team in points. He credits Burke for his role in those numbers.

“I can make plays knowing he’s going to be there without even looking, which gives me a huge advantage,” Wilcox said. “He’s a high-end defenseman. We’ve been playing together for so long and at this point we don’t even have to talk out there. We know exactly where each other is going to be on the ice.”

With roughly five weeks remaining in the final season of his high school career, Burke is looking forward next year to either a stint in junior hockey or a freshman year at either the University of Iowa or the University of Kentucky. But for now, he’ll bleed dark green and gold for a Spartans program he’ll miss once his high school career comes to a close.

“I’ll miss going to practice every day. Everyone on the team is like my second family,” Burke said. “I love the sport of hockey. It’s a stress-reliever, a nice place to go whenever you feel frustrated, and I just love the culture of GBN hockey. “I love everything about it from the coaches to the players that play here.”

Glenbrook North Topples New Trier Green To Capture High School Hockey Classic Championship

BY ADMINISTRATOR on DECEMBER 31, 2018

By Ross Forman

The fifth time was the charm for Glenbrook North, finally.

The No. 3-ranked Spartans shined in one of the most high-profile games of the season – the championship game of the 25th annual High School Holiday Hockey Classic, presented by the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation. GBN defeated No. 1-ranked New Trier Green on Dec. 29 to capture the title in the prestigious 16-team, 4-day tournament held The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville.

GBN enters 2019 on a 7-game winning streak, its last loss coming Dec. 15, at home against …. Green.

The Trevians have seemingly had the Spartans number all season.

The two teams first met in a preseason tournament on Sept. 9, and the Trevians coasted to a 5-0 win. In other games between the two teams, the Trevians have won 4-3 and 3-2 in overtime.

“Anytime you can defeat New Trier, you’ve done something special; they’re that good,” said GBN head coach Evan Poulakidas, who has now led Spartan teams to four championship game victories in the annual post-Christmas tournament. “It was just a great hockey game, a cleanly physical game – everything you’d think a championship game would be. We were fortunate to be on the winning side.

“We changed up a few things heading into the game, and that seemed to work. We managed the puck much better on the boards and made very few mistakes in our (defensive) end.”

The Spartans struck first, but the Trevians answered. It was 2-1 and GBN iced the victory with an empty-net tally.

“You have to play three full periods against New Trier; you cannot let up at all – and we were able to do that,” Poulakidas said.

Andrew Rubin and Michael Rabkin were among the Spartan scorers.

GBN skated past Maine Township 3-1 in the semifinals, while the Trevians topped Benet academy 9-2 en route to the finals.

“After the semis, the kids really wanted to play New Trier again. They were eager (to face the Trevians) and believe we can match up well against them,” Poulakidas said. “Getting the first goal really gave the team confidence. When we were ahead 2-1, the team was pretty calm; the kids knew what they had to do. And they stuck to the game plan throughout.”

Was the High School Classic final a preview of the championship game, come March, for the Illinois High School Hockey state championship?

Or will Loyola Gold be skating at the United Center, looking to repeat?

And there are many others looking to skate for state at the UC, including Stevenson, Glenbrook South, Saint Viator and St. Ignatius, among others.

“We hope we’re there,” Poulakidas said. “New Trier is a really tough, deep team that just never lets up. You have to win against New Trier; they won’t lose the game.

“That’s why I’m really thrilled for the kids – for winning the High School Classic which, along with the Loyola Thanksgiving Tournament are, in my opinion, the two biggest tournaments of the season.”

David Wilcox and Tim Burke shined for the Spartans in the tournament, as each has all season. Brennan Nein was solid in goal and Charlie Slovis did so many of the little things, such as winning face-offs that often don’t show on a stats sheet.

The stage is now set for the GBN-Green rematch on Saturday, Jan. 19 in Northbrook, starting at 4:30 p.m.

HOME › HOCKEY HEADLINES › OFFENSIVE-MINDED DEFENSEMAN WILCOX LEADS GBN CHARGE TO THE UNITED CENTER

Offensive-minded defenseman Wilcox leads GBN charge to the United Center

BY ADMINISTRATOR on NOVEMBER 26, 2018

By Ross Forman

Statistics don’t tell the whole story of Glenbrook North senior defenseman David Wilcox, who has 10 goals, 15 assists in his first 26 games this season as the Spartans carried a 21-4-1 record into their Rivalry Night against Glenbrook South on Nov. 21.

“To begin with, David Wilcox is a magnificent skater,” said GBN head coach Evan Poulakidas, in his 19th season coaching locally, his eighth in charge of the Spartans. “He has blazing speed and unique agility. He protects the puck as well as any player I have coached. He is a type of player that does not come along very often, a tremendous defender and threat offensively to score at all times.”

Wilcox is, without question, one of the main reasons Glenbrook North is a top contender to be skating next March at the United Center. Throw in such talented teammates as Matt Dahlke (20 goals, 8 assists), Casey Miller (11,12), Mikey Day (10, 11) and Brayden Roy (8,13), and this could be a Scholastic League championship team, too.

Wilcox is, admittedly, “excited” for the next few months, which includes a Dec. 15 rematch against the Trevians in Northbrook. The Spartans have a solid core of returning skaters, with as much team speed as any.

Defense and goaltending is rock solid too, as the Spartans are anchored on goalie Brennan Nein (14-3 record, 1.42 goals-against average).

The Spartans have “shown a tremendous amount of improvement so far,” this season, Wilcox said.

The Spartans blanked New Trier Blue 5-0 on Oct. 17, then defeated that same Blue team 4-0 on Nov. 15.  In between the Blue games, GBN went 8-1 with four shutouts.

Wilcox wants to skate at the United Center, period.

“I think about it almost every day; it would be a dream-come-true to get to play there this year,” he said. “We came one goal away from getting there last year and that still haunts me to this day and I won’t be satisfied until we get there.”

Willy, as he is known to his teammates, is in his third varsity season. He is a right-handed shooting senior who stands 6-feet tall and weighs 160-pounds.

Wilcox, who lives in Northbrook, is still undecided on his college plans for next fall, as he also is considering junior options.

Wilcox has a “very high hockey IQ, to go along with his natural leadership qualities,” Poulakidas said. “In simplest terms, I am glad he is a Spartan.”

Wilcox learned to skate at age 3 – with the help of plastic golf balls and clubs. “Every lesson, I would grab them and head right next to the boards and use them as a hockey stick and puck,” he said. “I started out playing little 3v3 games (in) Glenview and we would rotate playing goalie each shift. (I) don’t know if that counts as a real game, otherwise (my first-ever game was as) a mite house league (player).”

Wilcox has long shined in the Spartans’ green and gold, and when representing Illinois in the 2018 America’s Showcase, held last April in the St. Louis area. Wilcox was among 20 selected for the Showcase from 120 of the best high school players in Illinois who were invited to tryout. In addition, Wilcox was picked to the Illinois Fall Showcase team, which played Sept. 20-23 in Blaine, Minnesota.

“It’s been a great experience (skating for GBN) as this program takes hockey to a new level with passion and commitment,” Wilcox said. “I’ve had a ton of fun playing with my best friends throughout the years and being able to represent my school.”

His hockey highlights include playing in the annual GBN/GBS Rivalry Night Game, played the day before Thanksgiving in Glenview, and being named All-State, among other accolades.

“I try to motivate my teammates to work hard and keep each other accountable,” he said. “I’m a bit of an offensive defensemen as I tend to rush the puck up the ice and give our team as many scoring chances as I can.”

Slapshots With … Glenbrook North’s David Wilcox

Favorite NHL Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Favorite NHL Player: Sidney Crosby
Favorite Sport (other than hockey): Lacrosse
Favorite Pro Athlete: LeBron James
Favorite app: Hulu
Favorite TV Show: How I Met Your Mother
Favorite Sports Movie: Miracle On Ice
Hardest Slapshot on GBN (excluding yourself): Evan Izenstark
Most Accurate Shot on GBN (excluding yourself): Michael Day
Fastest Skater on GBN (excluding yourself): Tim Burke
Teammate Who, Someday, Would Make A Great Coach: Jonathan Ovnanyan
Best High School Jersey (other than GBN): New Trier Green’s alternate jerseys
Worst High School Jersey: Glenbrook South
Jersey Number: 8 – “I’ve been wearing No. 8 for almost my entire life in all sports, (including) baseball, basketball, hockey and lacrosse. I was born in August, which is the eighth month of the year, which is why I first selected it when I was about 7 years-old, and I’ve loved it ever since.”
Hockey Influences: “My parents and coaches throughout all my years.”
Most Memorable Game: “Winning the Northern Illinois Hockey League championship as a second-year bantam. It was my last opportunity to win it for the first time as a Northbrook Bluehawk (player).”
Most Memorable Goal: “Scoring the game-winning goal in game 3 of the SHL playoffs last year against Glenbrook South.”

11/26/18

The Spartans went 4-1 over the Thanksgiving Holiday.

In the traditional rivalry game played on Thanksgiving eve the Spartans defeated their sister school Glenbrook South by the score of 5-2. The game was played before a sold-out crowd at Glenview ice Arena.

The Spartans got two goals in the 1st period by Casey Miller and Mike Day. Matt Dahlke would add short-handed goal in the 2nd period.  South cut the lead to 3-1 with just over 2 minutes to play in the period.  The key goal of the night was scored by Charlie Slovis as he answered the South goal just minutes later.

Tim Burke would add the 5th and final goal midway thru the 3rd period.

Although the Spartans won going away it was the goaltending of Brennan Nein that kept GBN tied in the 1st period. South had a number of great chances to take the lead but Nein withstood the push and allowed the Spartans to get their legs going.

GBN entered Loyola Thanksgiving tournament as the defending Champion.

In the first game against Highland Park the Spartans struck early scoring 6 goals in the 1st period, 2 in the first 27 seconds on their way to an 8-0 victory.

Game 2 against Barrington was a different story.  Leading 2-0 in the 3rd period the Broncos put on a late charge scoring a goal with 5:11 to play making the score 2-1.  Matt Dahlke seemed to put the game away with an open net goal at the 1:21 mark but Barrington scored just 13 seconds later to cut the lead to 3-2.  The Spartans would eventually close out the game 3-2.

Game 3 found the Spartans up against St. Ignatius. Ignatius had stung the Spartans earlier in the year by defeating GBN by the score of 1-0.

GBN had a great start to the game as Miller, Dahlke and Slovis each tallied 1st period goals. Ignatius was able to score 1 late in the period.

St. Ignatius would make it real interesting as with 6:53 to play in the game they would score a power play goal to make it a one goal game.

David Wilcox would score a key power play goal less than a minute later and John Ovnanyan and Mike Day would each add another one making the final 6-2.

GBN would face their SHL rival New Trier Green in the semi-finals.

Green got on the board late in the 1st period to go up 1-0.

Then with just over 3 minutes to play Green would strike again to go up by 2.

A minute after Greens second goal, GBN’s David Wilcox received a pass from Everette Levin who was positioned behind the New Trier net. Wilcox one timer just above the right circle would deliver the Spartans 1st goal.

With 31 seconds to play and New Trier short-handed, GBN pulled its goalie Brennan Nein to add the extra attacker.  Charlie Slovis won the draw back to Matt Dahlke and Dahlke’s wrist shot found the back of New Triers net and just like that the teams were headed to overtime.

With just over 40 seconds to play in the 1st OT, GBN had a great chance to win the game when a rebound came out to an attacking GBN player who had an open net but the puck jumped over the stick and play continued.

Green would win the game just seconds later as a strange bounce off the end boards found a Green player standing at the left face off circle and the shot would go over the blocker of Brennan Nein ending the hopes of another O'Grady Cup for the Spartans.

New Trier would go on to beat Loyola in the championship game by the score of 3-1.

11/12/18

GBN met York Saturday in an SHL contest. The Spartans would come from behind twice to prevail 4-3.

York jumped out to a 2-goal lead. York’s Quinn Haller took a face off in the Spartans zone, he pushed the puck forward and let go a shot that was originally stopped by Brennan Nein but his follow up ended up in the net.

York would strike again on a shorthanded goal with just under 11 minutes to play in the 2nd period.

The Spartans would answer back before the period was over.

David Wilcox would score a power play goal at the 4-minute mark then Evan Izenstark would tie the game with seconds to play in the period as he rushed the puck and went down the left side of the ice and let go a shot that found its way under York’s Tom Wesolowski.

York came out in the 3rd period and scored on their first shift of the period to go up 3-2.

Less than a minute later Andrew Rubin responded for the Spartans to tie the game.

The winner came with just over 6 minutes to play as John Ovnanyan would rip a shot that hit under the cross bar and in.

Sunday’s game was the Matt Dahlke show as Dahlke would net 4 of the 6 goals scored by the Spartans as they defeated St. Rita by a 6-0 score.

Dahlke would score 2 power play goal and then add 2 short-handed goals for a day that he will always remember. 

Tim Burke and Daniel Wilcox would each add one.

Sam Billis in goal for the Spartans recorded the shutout.

The win against Rita was the 20th of the season for Spartans.  GBN is now 20-4-1, 5-1 in the SHL.

On a night when the Spartans were not that special their special teams and goaltending were.

GBN Defenseman Evan Izenstark provided just enough offense, and Goalie Brennan Nein provided the defense in a 3-1 win against Barrington Wednesday night in Crystal Lake.

The Spartans took a 1-0 lead with just under 6 minutes to play in the 1st period on a shorthanded goal by Charlie Slovis. Barrington still on the same power play would tie the game when a rebound came out to Shane McCloskey who poked it past Nein.

The play of the game was made by Izenstark. With less than 15 seconds to go in the period.

Izenstark took the puck deep in the Spartans zone and went end to end.  He cut to his right after entering the Broncos zone and let go a hard shot from 30 feet that found its mark with 9 seconds to play in the period.

GBN would add a powerplay goal in the 3rd period when Izenstark blasted home a shot from he left point giving the Spartans their 3rd goal.

GBN was uncustomarily sloppy in its own zone and elsewhere leading to numerous odd man breaks for the Broncos.  Spartan netminder Brennan Nein made several key stops, none bigger when he stopped a break away while the Spartans had a 2-man advantage.

The North American Hockey League has invited a high school team from Illinois to participate in an upcoming showcase starting Sept. 20th thru the 23rd in Minneapolis, MN.

20 top players from Illinois were selected.

4 Glenbrook North players have made that team.  They are Goalie Brennan Nein, Defenseman David Wilcox and Tim Burke and Forward Mike Day.

Congratulations to these players and best of luck at the showcase.

scholastichockeyleague.org

https://vimeo.com/207165998

Congratulations to the JV team for their sweep of Loyola in the SHL Championship!

On December 17th the Varsity team volunteered  at the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Union Ridge Cemetery in Chicago. Wreaths are placed by volunteers at the gravesites of Military Veterans at 1100 cemeteries across the United States on Wreaths Across America Day. For more information about this event and organization view their website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

The Chicago Blackhawks, AHAI, Athletico Physical Therapy and NorthShore University Health System are proud to announce the 6th year of our "A Step aHead" program!

The goal of our program is to educate the youth hockey community on concussion awareness, prevention and treatment as well as to provide FREE baseline neurocognitive testing to AHAI members.

A Step aHead testing is available for AHAI members from PeeWee to Midget/High School (ages 11-18).

Additional information is available on the AHAI, AHAIeNews and Athletico Physical Therapy websites.

Registration is NOW OPEN; testing is available through November 30, 2016.

This year's program will also offer new educational opportunities for both Moms and Dads, Coaches and Players. Stay tuned for additional information.

All NBHL players are required to take a baseline test; complimentary through the A Step aHead program.  Click on the logo to launch the registration site.

GBN JV wins the 2016 Scholastic Cup; defeats New Trier 4-1 to win the series final in two games.

New Trier scored first, but GBN responded with 4 unanswered goals to defeat New Trier and win the 2016 SHL Scholastic Cup in regulation.  Congratulations GBN JV!

Congratulations Jacob Rose on being selected

as a Blackhawk Alumni Scholarship Award Winner!!

This is one of the highest honors that a Illinois High School hockey player can receive. 

VARSITY

Brian Baruck, Jack Elowe, Dustin Epstein, Kyle Fisher, Jesse Lowell, Jacob Rose, Matthew Rosen, Andrew Slovis, Jason Spector

Jr. VARSTIY

Nicholas Charalab, Jacob Crane, Ethan Gould, Wells Hardesty, Justin Ho, Evan Larson, Jake Silverman

 Zach Knudson, Joey Day & Nick Mikhaylov

1ST TEAM

GOALIE: MATT GRINDE GBS

FORWARDS: Michael Graham NTG, Nick Mikhaylov GBN, Dan O'Grady LAG

DEFENSE: Parker Ray LAG, Dillon Munson NTG

2ND TEAM 

GOALIES: Will Douthit NTG, Marcus Kunzmann Barr.

FORWARDS: Joe Day GBN, Ryan Hill LAG, Michael Gonzalez LAG, Charlie Burton NTG, Ty Habedank RFD.

DEFENSE: Gary Barbera Barr, Zach Knudson GBN, Daniel Levey STV.

GBN JV defeated New Trier 5-4 to win the 2015 Chicago Scholastic Showcase by scoring three goals in the third period. The Spartans entered the semi-finals with a 2-0-1 record by tying Brother Rice and defeating Fenwick and Benet. Taking on Fenwick in the semis, GBN defeated Fenwick 3-1 to take on New Trier. Congratulations to the GBN JV Spartans!

Kyle Slovis:  Awarded 2015 JJ O'Connor Boys High School Player of the Year

Chris Zhang: Selected as Member of the 2015 Blackhawk Alumni All Star       Team

Behind a stingy defense and opportunistic offense, the Spartans were able to move onto the SHL Finals with a 2 games 0 sweep of Rockford. In the first game played on Friday (2/18), GBN took advantage of a two man advantage in the first period and scored two goals, both by defenseman Chad Yale, to take a quick 2-0 lead.

Logan Nein would put the Spartans up 3 when he scored midway through the third period on a rebound shot. Rockford  broke Garrett Cohen's shutout bid with just a minute to play, to make the final 3-1 in game 1.

In game two at Rockford, the line of Kyle Fisher, Tyler Mulier and Eric Doar, got GBN on the board first when Doar captured a rebound and put it under Rockford goalie Brandon Roderick.

On a 4 on 4 situation, Rockford would tie the score in the second period when the Spartans turned the puck over deep in their own zone,  a scramble occurred and the Iceman would jump on a loose  puck and tie the game.

Alex Merritt answered right back just a minute later to put the Spartans up 2-1 on a tap in goal. This goal seemed to stem any momentum that Rockford had gained after their first goal.

GBN would extend their lead in the 3rd period when Mulier attacked the Rockford net on a 2 on 1 and choose to shoot the puck, his first shot was saved but he stayed with the play and scored on the rebound.

The Spartans would add two more late goals to make the final 5-1.

It is the third straight year that GBN will play in the SHL finals and a chance to defend their existing title.

1st team forwards
Brent Segvich NTG
Brad Glass NTG
Chris Zhang GBN

2nd team forwards
Anthony Heaslip RFD
Casey Dodge BAR
Anthony Iacullo Bar
Adam Czarnicki SV
Alex Merritt GBN

1st team defense
Jack Dolby NTG
Kyle Slovis GBN

2nd team defense
Richard Chen STV
Graham Soman NTG
Chad Yale GBN

• Brian Baruck
• Nicholas Charalab
• Alex Crane
• Jack Elowe
• Jared Epstein
• Dustin Epstein
• Kyle Fisher
• Jonah Gould
• Ethan Gould
• Wells Hardesty
• Zach Knudson
• Kevin Koren
• Alex Merritt
• Tyler Mulier
• Jake Rabin
• Jacob Rose
• Matthew Rosen
• Kyle Slovis
• Jason Spector
• Chris Zhang

2014 Spring Registration is now open.  Click on the Registration tab and follow the link to the registration site.  You will need your players USA hockey number to complete registration.  You do not need to get a new number if you have a valid number for the 2013/2014 season.

Congratulations to Varsity Spartans Nick Day, Nate Harris and Chad Yale for being selected for the 2014 All-State Team. Come watch them play February 3rd, at the AHAI hockey center in Bensenville at 8:35 p.m. 

Also, congratulations to Nick Day and Chad Yale for being selected for All-League as well. 

Like Patrick Kane, Glenbrook North's Nate Harris hopes to bring home title

12/18/2013, 6:45pm CST

By Eli Kaberon

Glenbrook North's Nate Harris swears he doesn't model his game after any NHL players, but he does have a favorite: Patrick Kane. And like the Blackhawks star, Harris hopes he can end his season as a champion.

Ask Nate Harris if he models his game after any professional hockey players and he’ll say no. He watches a lot of guys in the NHL and tries to take parts from each of their styles, but there’s no player he has set out to become.

Watch Harris zoom around the ice for Gelnbrook North and you’ll see otherwise. The end-to-end speed, the sharp stick-handling, the ability to put the puck in the net from a variety of angles, a willingness to take on defenders to give a teammate an open shot. All of it reminiscent of a specific player, one who has earned some hardware for his skills on the ice.

Then look at the back of Harris’ jersey: No. 88, of course.

Harris is a Patrick Kane clone, with the ability to change the game on both ends of the ice. His skills as a goal-scorer, passer and defender, are a primary reason the Spartans are the Sun-Times’ No. 1 team.

“Yeah, he’s my favorite player,” Harris said of the Blackhawks star.

Like Kane, Harris has many responsibilities for his team. The main one is to create offense, something he does quite well. According to the team’s official web site, Harris has scored 35 goals to go along with 31 assists, both of which lead the team. A strong work ethic and attention to detail are responsible for his impressive play.

“I work on my shot a lot in practice, trying new things, seeing what works best,” Harris said. “I’ve been trying to strengthen my hands, because that will improve my stick-handling ability even more.”

The Spartans are more than a one-man team. Glenbrook North coach Evan Poulakidas says that the team has four lines that can score and pass with skill, a rarity among the high school ranks. More importantly, the team defends as well as any in the state.

“We are really skilled and really fast, but not as physical as some other teams,” Poulakidas said. “What sets us apart is the way we can play defense and set the tempo of the game. If we play the tempo we want to, we are tough to beat.”

The depth on the Spartans roster will come in handy, after Harris broke his scapula last Saturday. Out for at least a month, the team’s top player reluctantly will be forced to the sideline.

The injury doesn’t change Glenbrook North’s big picture. It still has the most talented team in Illinois, with its top scorer hoping he can duplicate a feat of his favorite player and bring home a championship.

“Sitting out won’t be fun,” Harris said. “But if we play our game, and play the way we know we’re capable of, we can accomplish our goal, which is a state title.”

The Varsity Spartans participated in the Central States Showcase and defeated three out of the four teams they played.  Come out and support them on Saturday night, November 2nd, when they face Scholastic Hockey League opponent Stevenson. 

Former Spartan and state champion Jayson Megna, scored his first goal and got an assist in his second NHL game for the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 28, 2013.