This week’s Athlete of the Week is varsity hockey player, junior Adam Kusluch.

Adam has been playing hockey for 10 years! “I started when I was 6 years old playing floor hockey for the YMCA, then I moved to ice hockey when I learned how to skate which took awhile, but I really wanted to play hockey because my brother did and I wanted to be like him,” Kusluch said.

Adam is a currently a forward on the team. “My job is to get the puck from the other team and keep it in the offensive zone. When I have the puck I am always looking for an opportunity to score or get the puck to another teammate. If the other team has the puck, my goal is to then take the puck back and get it out of our zone which will lead to offense.

“Everyday at practice we are on the ice until usually 5, then we have some type of dryland training which includes either running or lifting.”

When asked what his favorite hockey memory is, Adam replied, “Scoring a hat trick against Peters when I was in 6th grade.”

Adam’s favorite hockey team is the Pittsburgh Penguins and his favorite player is Evgeni Malkin, but Phil Kessel is a close second.

Although Kusluch loves playing hockey, he does not think that he will continue playing after high school.

“Hockey is a very competitive sport to play in college, and I would rather focus on school instead.”

The boys are down to their last few games of the season! Be sure to watch the boys take on Seneca Valley at their game Thursday night at 9 at the Spencer Family YMCA Ice Complex (new name for Bladerunners) by the high school.

Their last season game will be on Friday, Feb. 24 against Meadville at the Spencer Family YMCA  at 7 p.m. for senior night.

Playoffs will start the following week, and like every year, the boys will dye or cut their hair.