Joe Houk ’13 named a first-team All-American for hockey

by Daniel Hagemeier '11
SENIOR EDITOR

When a defenseman of a varsity ice hockey team scores the majority of a team’s goals, you can either assume that the team’s forwards are unproductive or that the aforementioned defender brings a special skill set to the ice. Fielding the second ranked NESCAC offense producing an average of 3.72 goals per game and featuring standout forwards like Michael DiMare ’14 (15 goals) and Nick Anderson ’14 (13 goals), the Hamilton Continentals certainly do not host a group an unsuccessful forwards. 

Accordingly, the fact that defenseman Joe Houk ’13 led the team in scoring with 17 goals and finished second in assists with 16 illustrates that Hamilton was able to recruit a player with extraordinary talent and versatility two years ago.

Houk’s outstanding play resulted in his selection as the NESCAC player of the year in early March as well as his selection as a Division III First Team All-American. Houk finished the season as the third-ranked player in the NESCAC based on points and goals. This achievement is even more noteworthy considering that Houk “only” scored four goals last season paired with 15 assists. Houk himself said that he was informed of his nomination to the All-American team by follow defenseman Ryan Guerin ’11. 

The communication major further revealed that “I was shocked by the selection because of the number of great players throughout the country. There are so many great players on our team and in the Division III as a whole. I was just honored to be a part of such a great group of hockey players.”

His great deal of humility and team play was also evident in his personal explanation for why he received such high honors. He said he profited from Coaches Norm Bazin and Graham Johnson giving him extended playing time throughout the season and as well as a great deal of support from his teammates who were “making my job as a defenseman as easy as possible …[and made it] easy to capitalize on the chances they gave me every game.”

In fact, Houk even practiced some self-criticism regarding his accolades: “I enjoy the offensive part of the game a lot, probably too much for a defenseman.” The Continentals sure benefitted from this unconventional enthusiasm.

Houk specifically credited players like Joe Buicko ’11, Andrew Scarpino ’12, Andrew White ’13, and the previously mentioned first-year forwards DiMare and Anderson for his success this year and continued overall improvement. But Houk wouldn’t be a true student athlete when he wouldn’t work on further developing his game.

“I’ll continue to better my defensive side of the game,” he said. “And I’ll strive to shut down the opposing team’s top players. Until next year, I’ll be working hard with my teammates in the gym and through summer workouts.” His coaches will welcome this work effort in their own quest for building upon a strong NESCAC season in which the Continentals advanced to the NESCAC quarterfinals.