2021-22 TEAM PREVIEW: AVON EAGLES
Baron Cup II champs move up to GCHSHL’s Red Division
Last season was an historic one for the Avon Eagles. Their post-season run included five consecutive one-goal wins – the last three in overtime – before St. Edward eliminated them in the district semifinals.
In the process, Avon claimed their first-ever Baron Cup II championship with wins over Solon (5-4), Avon Lake (2-1) and Olmsted Falls (3-2 in OT).
The Eagles were just warming up. Their first two district playoff wins came over Red Division opponents Benedictine and Amherst Steele (both 2-1 in OT), propelling them to the district semifinals for the first time in program history.
This will be Year #6 behind the Eagles’ bench for head coach Kyle Botos (72-71-5). He has 16(!) forwards returning from last year’s record-breaking team, along with four defensemen and goaltender Ben Boka. That’s a total of 21 lettermen, 15 of them seniors, on what is a 29-person roster.
“The forward group brings back a lot of the fire power that helped winning the Baron Cup,” said Botos. “Our weakness for the upcoming season would be asking younger players to step into important defense roles. I would expect adjustment period for the younger defenseman at the start of the season.”
The Eagles will need Ben Boka to be a workhorse between the pipes this year.
“Ben has grown up a lot and brings stability to the defense core,” says Botos. “He will compete every night for you and keep you every game.”
Michael Perusek will be Avon’s captain with Matt Folds, Nick Kraszewski and Will Umland serving as alternates.
The Eagles will participate in three in-season tournaments including their own, which they will host on MLK Weekend. They will also participate in the Toledo Winterfest, facing off outside against Anthony Wayne of the Northwest Hockey Conference.
Goals Botos has set for the season include winning the Parma Christmas and Avon MLK Tournaments, reaching the Baron Cup Finals and earning a Top-five seed for the Brooklyn District Tournament.
--- Scott Harrington for Ohio Hockey Digest
EAGLES PLAYERS TO WATCH
Michael Perusek
Led the Eagles in points the past two seasons and continues to get better each year. A big-body player that brings a power forward style of play.
Matt Folds
Quick forward brings energy to the group. Sets the tone by his work hard mentality and not-stop engine.
Logan Brown
Two-sport athlete that has high hockey IQ. Will not beat you with speed but has awareness around the net and offense zone.
