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04/11/2023 01:03 PMPretty much ever since he could walk, Charlie Maxwell has been glued to the ice of a hockey rink, and the passion he has to produce at the highest level, coupled with his love of terrific and close teammates, fuels the fire on that same ice.
The Haddam-Killingworth junior and right wingman for the Rocky Hill boys’ ice hockey co-op squad played hockey since he was “a little kid” and has also played lacrosse for the past decade. This past season was a standout year for Charlie, netting three goals and four assists, to aide the Terriers to a sensational state semifinals run in the Division III State Tournament as the 15th seed after wins over New Milford and Tri-Town.
“[Rocky Hill boys’ ice hockey co-op team Head Coach David] Dubos always has us talk about the why when it comes to why we do things,” says Charlie. “And I am always pushing forward to be the best at everything I do. I am not content if I am not being the best at anything. I lost a friend through lacrosse, and so when I am out there, I am fighting for something bigger than myself. The run in states was surprising to everyone else, but we knew we were a championship-caliber team from the get go. We knew we would win going into states, and teams underestimated us.”
While the casual hockey observer may first view the wing slot as an offensive-minded position, Charlie showcases his abilities as a utility player by fully functioning on both sides of the ice and being a disruptor to the opposing side.
“I like how versatile I can be with the position and playing offense and defense,” Charlie says. “I am a defensive forward, so I play the high slot, forecheck, and make hits. I like being able to get down deep in the zone and breaking up plays.”
As the years have worn on, Charlie has noticed a boost in his solo swagger and self-belief in his skill set within skates. It is an intangible force that has driven him to be more aggressive and less timid with the puck in his possession.
“I have definitely become more confident in myself,” says Charlie. “In my freshman year, I was a big kid, but I was still hesitant with things. Now, I feel better when it comes to skating with the puck and making passes to the others.”
The ride has not come without some bumps in the road for Charlie, who has suffered several injuries the past two campaigns–including one right before the postseason a year ago. No matter the ailment or circumstance, Charlie put it upon himself to make sure he was back on the ice fighting alongside his Terriers’ teammates.
“Going into states last year, I had a concussion and missed our first round game and had to watch our team lose,” Charlie says. “It was tough to see our seniors go, and I was on our first line, too. I did not want to be in a position like that again. Then this year, I fractured my hip during fall lacrosse and missed the first few games of the hockey season. I made sure to do everything I could to get back, and luckily I was able to make it back to help my team.”
Rocky Hill Head Coach David Dubos explains that no matter how many hurdles Charlie has had to leap over, he has done it with class, composure, and high character–leading to him already earning a captain’s designation for next winter.
“Charlie has been with the program from the beginning as a freshman. He is an amazing player, he has a cannon for a shot and this year was a huge contributor starting the majority of our games as a right winger,” says Dubos. “Charlie is a role model as a student-athlete, always striving to perform to the best of his abilities in the classroom and on the ice. Over the last two years, he has been challenged with injury after injury, but unless he is sick in bed, he would be in the locker room and behind the bench supporting his team. Charlie grabbed the team by the reins after our loss to Southington, setting team expectations high, demanding more from his teammates, and leading us with his strong and powerful voice in the locker room and bench to the state semifinals. It is not a coincidence he was voted as one of the team captains for next year. I can guarantee he has lofty goals for himself and his teammates next season.”
As he is expectedly very pleased by earning the captain designation for next winter for his efforts, Charlie lays out that while he would like to up his point production a bit more, he more importantly wants to garner great admiration and respect from his peers.
“Athletically, for hockey, I want to score more next year,” says Charlie. “I also want to be a role model as a team captain next season and be someone everyone can look up to and come talk to, because that is what I had with our captains when I was an underclassman.”