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03/12/2020 12:00 AMLogan Hamilton has been surrounded by ice hockey ever since he was born. Before he even turned one, Logan’s family was taking him to Connecticut Riverhawks’ games. Logan started skating at age two and, just a couple of years later, he became a hockey player.
Logan has constantly improved since he first set foot on the ice. Logan is the starting goalie and a senior captain for the East Haven co-op boys’ ice hockey squad this winter. He played an integral role in helping the Yellowjackets secure a berth in the State Tournament for the 34th-straight campaign.
“Growing up playing hockey, I would always watch the high school games. I couldn’t wait to be a part of it,” Logan says. “I would play youth hockey away from East Haven, and I couldn’t wait to be back in blue and yellow.”
Logan earned some starts in net when he was a freshman at East Haven. Logan immediately became a difference maker between the pipes, posting a shutout in a 10-0 victory versus North Branford in his debut game.
“It was really special,” says Logan. “The coolest part was to have the puck given to me after the game with the tape that says the date and the score.”
In his sophomore year, Logan left East Haven to play for the Hartford Junior Wolfpack. He saw a great deal of playing time and became a better goalie through his experience at the junior level. Last winter, Logan returned to play hockey for the Yellowjackets.
“Toward the end of my sophomore season, I started practicing with the high school team again,” Logan says. “It was really easy to get back into it with the guys. They all welcomed me back.”
Logan served as one of East Haven’s captains in his junior season and wound up earning All-State Second Team honors. This year, the senior captain was selected as the goalkeeper for the All-SCC/SWC Division II Second Team.
Head Coach Lou Pane says that Logan’s skills in goal are immensely valuable to the Easties.
“Coaching Logan for three years was an absolute pleasure. He’s an outstanding goaltender. They don’t come around very often,” says Pane. “Logan gives us a chance every night, no matter who we are playing. He’s a standout goaltender who could steal a win for you on any given night against anybody in the state.”
Coach Pane helped set up a tryout for Logan with the New Hampshire Avalanche of the Eastern Hockey League. Logan wants to continue his hockey career after high school and has also looked at programs in Vermont and Virginia.
“The dream forever was to play college hockey. Unfortunately, being 5-foot-7 as a goalie took that out of the picture, but I still want to try,” Logan says. “Juniors is the path most college athletes take, even in Division III. I would like to play two years of juniors before college.”
The pressure on Logan has grown as his high school career has unfolded. However, Logan feels that one of his best attributes as a goalie is his ability to tune out his surroundings and focus.
“I’m always calm and composed during games,” says Logan. “I don’t let big crowds or other student sections or playing the No. 1 seed affect me. On the ice, I’m focused.”
While he appreciates the accolades that he’s received, Logan says the relationships he’s made with his teammates are what he will remember the most about his time at East Haven.
“I could probably name every single player who has been on our team all four years,” Logan says. “Winning games is great, but the bonds you make from hockey are second to none.”