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02/20/2018 11:00 PMZach Paquin started playing ice hockey at a young age and, through the years, he’s developed a unique skill set on offense that’s proved vital to East Haven’s success the past few seasons. Zach primarily played on the wing while growing up, but then transitioned to center upon joining Head Coach Lou Pane’s squad at the high school. Zach is now a captain for the Yellowjackets as a senior this winter.
“I used to play for a lot of travel teams year-round, so I focused on hockey a lot, which helped me become a better player. I got to play with a lot of really good players who have really helped me out. It really showed me how to be a leader and be responsible,” says Zach. “Coach Pane switched me to center. He liked the way I battled in corners and just the type of player I was.”
One of the biggest things Zach needed to adjust to as a center was learning how to take face-offs, and he says his quick hands helped him out a lot in that regard. Of course, Zach also had to learn the right spots to be on ice once the puck was dropped.
“It was pretty difficult at first to get used to, but as I got better, it got easier. I realized [center] was a better fit for me and my style,” Zach says. “When the defense and wingers are battling for the puck, it’s easier for me to come in, grab it, and skate away on a breakout.”
Zach has been known to score some big goals in the clutch for East Haven, in addition to setting up his teammates for success. Coach Pane knows how pivotal Zach is to the Yellowjackets’ offense as their first-line center this season.
“Zach brings a whole bunch of finesse and scoring to our team. With him in the lineup, we’re certainly a different team because of his exceptional scoring skills. He has a great ability to see the whole ice. With him in our lineup, it elevates our team to a different level,” says Pane. “He’s mainly a quiet guy in the locker room, but he leads by example. Some of the things he does in practice, other guys...admire what he can do and aspire to be what he can be. Guys are hoping to be as good as him.”
Zach’s biggest goal this year came against West Haven on Jan. 13. In a road game, Zach broke a 1-1 tie by netting the winner in overtime to give East Haven a 2-1 victory against the Blue Devils. Zach not only wanted to score the goal to give his team the win, but also because he felt responsible for West Haven’s lone goal in the contest.
“Throughout my years, we lost when we played them. They’re good and, going into their place this year, we wanted to play good against them,” says Zach. “I got the penalty that caused them to tie it, so I wanted to go out there in overtime. I got the chance on that breakaway, and it was a memorable goal for my high school career.”
Throughout his career, Zach has worked hard to earn the role of a captain for the Yellowjackets. Zach’s efforts paid off when he was named one of the Easties’ captains for his senior season.
“It means a lot to be a captain. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it really has kind of changed my play for this year. I want to show the rest of my teammates that they need to put in the work. I try to set the momentum and get going on teams early,” says Zach. “Being a captain has been a privilege, because just going on the ice and showing them we need to get in the game is a really good feeling. Once we do that and see the results, it’ll be a good feeling knowing we put all the hard work in.”