Boys Hockey: Deerfield’s Beaudoin brothers make all-star squad
by bob gosman Contributor January 24, 2012 6:16PM
Deerfield's Patrick Beaudoin (No. 9) passes the puck past Highland Park's Andy Guo during Saturday's game at Twin Rinks. | John Konstantaras~For Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 27, 2012 8:14AM
Deerfield High School’s John Henri Beaudoin was a role player as a sophomore.
He played at times, but it was mostly a learning year — and a time for him to adjust to the varsity game. Now it’s clear that Beaudoin made the most of his one-season apprenticeship.
Beaudoin, a junior, and his older brother, Pat, will both represent the Warriors in Sunday’s Metro North All-Star Game. John Henri Beaudoin leads the Warriors with 19 goals and 15 assists.
“Every game, he’s been our most consistent scorer,” said Deerfield coach Chris Waters. “He puts pressure on the other team; his passing creates a lot of good scoring opportunities for us.”
Waters expected Beaudoin to emerge this season — but he didn’t expect it would translate into so much production.
“It’s been a pleasant surprise,” Waters said.
Beaudoin and sophomore Michael Wiggemansen give the Scouts a solid offense to build around. Wiggemansen has contributed 18 goals and 13 assists.
Waters said that Beaudoin is a low-maintenance player to coach.
“He listens to everything you say and is a leader in the locker room,” Waters said. “I couldn’t ask for a better player.”
Brother Pat Beaudoin is having quite a season in his own right. In addition to his stellar play on defense, he’s more aggressive on offense, accumulating 10 assists.
“He’s by far our best defenseman, and one of the best in the entire league,” Waters said. “We’re extremely young on defense, and he makes sure the guys on every shift do their jobs. He’s taking fewer penalties than last year. He’s more well-rounded and is playing smarter.”
Waters said the two brothers have similar leadership styles.
“They’re both outgoing,” he said. “They like to have a good time, but they always concentrate on what they have to do.”
Tough through two: The Warriors played Highland Park High School close for two periods on Saturday.
After quickly falling behind 3-0, Deerfield scored two consecutive goals. In the third period, Highland Park pulled away and generated four unanswered scores. John Henri Beaudoin and Wiggemansen tallied goals for the Warriors.
“We hung with one of the top teams in the state for most of the game,” Waters said.
The biggest issue for Deerfield (5-15-1) was trying to slow down Highland Park’s power play.
“When it was even strength, it was pretty even, but we really struggled defending their power play,” Waters said.
Young ‘D’: As the season has progressed, Waters has been pleased with the progress of sophomore defenseman Adam Cloch, junior Robert Friend and freshman Jack Goldberger.
“Our defense is improving the most,” Waters said. “All three of those guys are first-year varsity players, and they’ve played a huge (role) on our team.”
Closing strong: The Warriors believe they are a better team than their record indicates, and they hope to prove that in the final weeks of the regular season — and in the playoffs.
“This is young team that had some growing pains but is always willing to learn,” Waters said. “I think we’re getting better and better every game.”
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