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04/13/2022 12:00 AMJoey Taft got his chance to make an impact with the North Haven boys’ ice hockey team as a junior this year. Joey took that opportunity seriously and became a vital part of the Nighthawks’ defense, helping them claim their second-straight conference title and then advance to the state final.
Joey’s two older brothers, Chris and Phil, both grew up playing hockey. Just like Joey, Phil suited up as a defenseman for North Haven. Watching his older brothers play the sport encouraged Joey to step on the ice.
“I went to all of their games,” says Joey. “They got me into it.”
Joey gave hockey a shot when he was four, but decided that it wasn’t for him. However, after taking a year off, Joey came back the next year to compete for the Greater New Haven Warriors. Joey also played for the CT Chiefs and the CT Junior Huskies during his days in the youth ranks.
Joey learned more and more about the sport at every stop and credits his coaches for helping him become the hockey player that he is today. Joey feels that gaining so much experience as a youngster helped prepare him for the high school level.
As a freshman, Joey practiced with North Haven’s varsity team, but didn’t see any playing time. While he felt comfortable with the speed of the game, Joey still had to adjust to taking on stronger competition.
“It was slower than where I came from. I was playing against a lot of good players,” Joey says. “It’s a bit more mixed now in high school. But I still have to work to keep up with them.”
After playing sparingly as a sophomore, Joey got his opportunity to skate for North Haven in his junior year and became a major factor in the Nighthawks’ defensive corps. Joey was now playing meaningful minutes on a game-in, game-out basis for Head Coach Chris Avena’s squad.
It took hours of hard work and an overall dedication to the sport for Joey to get to that point.
“It took a lot of practice. I practice every single day,” says Joey. “Coach Avena has really helped me. I always make sure that I’m on time and putting in the work.”
Joey helped North Haven finish the 2022 season with an overall record of 23-3. The Nighthawks claimed their second-consecutive conference crown with a 4-3 win over Lyman Hall in the final of the SCC/SWC Division II Tournament, after which they made it to the championship game of the Division II State Tournament.
Joey feels honored to have shared the ice with his North Haven teammates this winter. Joey knows that the Nighthawks wouldn’t have achieved as much as they did without significant contributions from every player on the roster.
“I love this team and the coaches. It couldn’t have happened without every single player,” Joey says. “It was an amazing feeling. I’m ready for a third.”
Joey has been a defenseman throughout his hockey career. Joey calls himself a “stay-at-home” defender who focuses on doing everything he can to keep the puck out of the Nighthawks’ zone.
Coach Avena was impressed with how Joey did his job on defense during the recent season. Avena says that Joey battled hard on every shift and played an instrumental role in North Haven’s success.
“Joey is one of those guys that does what it takes for his team to win. That doesn’t always show up on the score sheet,” says Avena. “Joey battles every shift and brings great energy to the rink every day.”
Joey is also a member of the North Haven boys’ lacrosse team. Joey has been with the program all three years of high school, playing midfield and taking faceoffs for the Nighthawks. Along with the physical aspects of each sport, Joey says that playing both hockey and lacrosse has taught him a lot about teamwork and camaraderie.
When he’s not on the ice, Joey is always thinking about how he can work harder to be that much better the next he gets back out there. Once he laces up the skates, Joey feels proud to play hockey for North Haven while surrounded by a supportive cast of colleagues.
“Playing for North Haven hockey means everything. It means playing for my guys, my coaches, and my ice time,” Joey says. “I love this team and the coaches.”