Bergey’s Inc.
SOL SHSHL Player of the Week
This recognition is sponsored by Bergey’s Inc. Athletes are chosen based on nomination of coaches, and the recipient must be a positive presence on the ice and a credit to the game. Consideration also is given to the student-athlete’s standing in the school and community.
CJ Lineman – Junior at William Tennent High School
The junior goalie, who anchors the Panthers’ defense, reeled off five wins in a row to end 2013 and begin 2014 with his only loss coming at the hands Upper Moreland by one goal. He also was between the pipes in the Panthers’ 3-3 tie with the Golden Bears last week. Lineman also plays for the Junior Flyers MJHL squad. An excellent student, Lineman is enrolled in all honors and AP classes, and despite a busy schedule, he finds time to volunteer at Einstein Montgomery Hospital in the Cardiac Catheterization Department while also working part-time at Moe’s Restaurant in Warrington.
Note from the coach:
“I’ve been saying since he was a freshman that he’s one of the best goalies in the league,” coach Nick D’Aurizio said. “Right now we’re a young program, and his numbers are starting to speak for themselves. He reeled off five straight wins in the middle of our schedule, and it was quiet. You didn’t realize how he was getting the job done until you looked back at his stats and said, ‘Wow, look at his performance.’
“If you look at our team as a whole, we’re really heavy on the ninth and 10th graders. I’d say 70 to 80 percent of our team is young, and we have two very good goalies in CJ and Zach Dorsey. From the start when CJ came into our program, we knew he was going to be a special goalie, and he’s really starting to blossom as one of the best goalies in the area, and we’re happy to have him.
“He’s one of the most focused guys on our team. Whether or not he’s starting a game, he’ll be stretching by himself with his headphones on, staring at the rink. That type of focus you see in higher levels of hockey. You don’t always see it in high school. He’s focused. It doesn’t matter whether he’s playing or not, and that’s special for a kid his age.
“He’s just a student of the game. He goes to goalie clinics in the offseason. He’s always working. Focus, work ethic and smarts – he knows the game, and those are the things that set him apart.
“When you have a hockey team and you’re dealing with 20-plus personalities, to have a kid like CJ that you don’t have to work about in any situation, it’s huge, and it’s a weight off the coach’s shoulders. CJ is one of those guys - I just never have to worry about him. He’s always there, and he’s ready to play. He’s a coach’s dream. Some goalies have quirky personalities, but CJ is an exception to the rule. He has his head on straight, he’s a great kid and he comes from a great family. We just love to have those kinds of kids going through our program.”
About CJ:
Best memory playing high school hockey: The rivalry game versus Archbishop Wood in 2012. It was my first time starting in net as a sophomore. The game ended in a tie and then went to a shootout.
Part of the game I enjoy most: Just being with my teammates and having my friends in the stands is a great experience.
How did you get involved in ice hockey? My dad played hockey, and I grew up watching the Flyers from the time I was born.
My role models are: My parents. They always support me in many ways. No matter what happens in life, I know that I can always rely on their confidence in my ability to be the best I can be.
Music on iPod: I listen to hip-hop, rap, country and dubstep.
Favorite food: New York Strip Steak
Favorite class: Algebra
Future plans: Go to college and play DIII NCAA.
Four people I’d invite to a dinner party: Paul Walker, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Lawrence, Aaron Paul
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