Photo of Josh Sklar provided courtesy of Dara King Photography.
Bergey’s Buick GMC
SOL SHSHL Player of the Week
This recognition is sponsored by Bergey’s Buick GMC. 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.
Josh Sklar has been with the Central Bucks South program since fifth grade and was part of teams that have won two Flyers Cups and two state titles. Sklar was elected an assistant captain by his teammates. He is a versatile player who can play all five positions. In addition to playing for CB South, he is a member of the Philadelphia Revolution EHL U19. He volunteered for Crush Hockey and is now an assistant head instructor for the program that is owned and operated by coach Shaun McGinty. Off the ice, Sklar – an excellent student with a 3.6 GPA - is a member of the National Honor Society and has served as a tutor. He has volunteered with the Bucks County Admirals, an ice hockey program that provides opportunities for special needs children and adults. He plans to pursue a mechanical engineering major and has already been accepted to Johnson and Wales, Temple and Widener.
Note from the coach:
“Josh is always very levelheaded,” coach Shaun McGinty said. “He’s always been wise beyond his years. His parents have had a large impact with that. They’re a very strong family. Mom and dad don’t miss games, his older brother is there, his younger brother is there. Hockey is very much a family thing.
“He went through the middle school program and the jayvee and then he played swing. He did his time as a young player understanding – ‘I might not get as much ice time as I want, but I’m still part of the varsity program as a swing player. Ultimately, I know I’ll make an impact,’ and he is an impact.
“He’s won two state titles and two Flyers Cups. He hit the program at the right time, luckily for him. He’s always been the kind of kid when he was younger, we knew we could rely on him to play and not make large mistakes. All young kids make mistakes, but he wasn’t going to make a large mistake. He’s very intelligent, and he’s what some coaches like myself who have been around and have played for a while would call a five-man because he’s a player that can play all five positions. I can have him play left wing, right wing, center, left ‘D’ or right ‘D’. Not everybody can do it. He’s an asset for that reason as well because I can utilize him every which way. He plays all the positions, he penalty kills, and he’s on power plays. He’s a utility player. He can do anything.
“Josh has been in the program for so long, and he’s been on the team with great leaders so he knows how to conduct himself. He was voted by his peers to be one of the captains. He’s great with our freshmen and sophomores, all the rookies. He’s just a strong-minded and well-balanced person, and a lot of that goes to the right upbringing. We’re lucky to have him as well as his family. They’re a big part of CB South hockey.
“As much as hockey is important, academics are that much more important. He would love to play hockey collegiately or maybe play at the club level, but education is number one.”
About Josh:
Best memory playing high school hockey: Winning the State Championship.
Part of the game I enjoy most: Having fun with the rest of the team.
How did you get involved in hockey? Went skating at the rink and saw someone playing, and I said, ‘I want to do that.’
My role model is: PK Subban
Music on iPod: Country & Hip Hop/Rap
Favorite food: BBQ Ribs
Favorite class: Math
Future plans: To play hockey in college
Four people I’d invite to a dinner party: Will Farrell, Wayne Gretzky, Steve Jobs, Claude Giroux
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