BRANDON- Sophomore Mike Ross and junior Joel Pappas anchored the Brandon hockey team’s run to their Division 3 state quarterfinals.
The two were recognized for their play this season by being named to the honorable mention All-State Division 3 hockey team. Ross, a center, tallied 31 goals and 31 assists in the team’s 28 games this year, while Pappas, a winger, scored 27 goals and 20 assists.
In addition to their All-State honors, Ross and Pappas were among four Brandon players named to the all-Flint Metro League team. Ross made the second team, while Pappas made the honorable mention squad.
The two other players named to the all-league team were sophomore defenseman Chris Nuccio (three goals, 21 assists), who was named second-team all-league, and sophomore goaltender David Hughes (who saved 89 percent of opposing shots and had a 2.9 goals-against average, who was named honorable-mention all-league.
The Blackhawks finished the year with a 16-10-3 record and made the state quarterfinals in only the third year of the program’s existence.
With all four players returning next season, Brandon coach Brian Moore said the team’s best days are still ahead.
“They played their best when it counted the most,” Moore said of the four players. “They’ve got bright futures ahead of them. Our goal next year is to win the (Division 3) state championship, and these guys are a pretty good base.”