Fraser

Fraser senior caps hockey career with MVP honor

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « File photo by Patricia O’Blenes Fraser senior Connor Gordley (9) delivers a big hit during a game earlier this year. Gordley capped his high school career by taking home the MAC Blue MVP award. File photo by Patricia O’Blenes Fraser senior Connor Gordley (9) delivers a big hit during a game earlier this year. Gordley capped his high school career by taking home the MAC Blue MVP award.

FRASER — For four years, Connor Gordley endured the ups and downs associated with the Fraser High hockey team.

For four years, he strived to be as consistent a player he could while building the Ramblers’ program back to respectability.

This past season, he helped deliver the ultimate team award in a Macomb Area Conference Blue Division title.

Roughly two weeks ago, he was given one of the best individual awards, too.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Gordley said of being named the Blue Division Most Valuable Player. “It was an awesome way to cap my high school career.”

“He was a four-year veteran and a two-year captain for us,” coach Don Krussman said. “He was a guy that played the whole ice surface, a solid defenseman who was a legitimate offensive force. He was one of the main keys for us down the stretch.”

With Gordley leading the way, Fraser finished 5-1-0 in the Blue, narrowly edging past Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse (4-2-0) for the league title.

Primarily a defenseman, Gordley finished six league games with one goal and seven assists. He finished the 26-game season with seven goals and 20 assists, third best on the team.

“On a team with just five seniors, his leadership was essential,” Krussman said. “But he was on the ice in all situations. He ate up a ton of minutes, and I think the other coaches realized that (when voting). I wasn’t surprised at all he was named MVP.”

“This was a great year, the best of my high school career,” Gordley added. “And this was an awesome way to finish it.”

He wasn’t the lone Rambler recognized, either.

Krussman was named Coach of the Year in the Blue, while seniors Killian Hannon and Bob Skelton joined juniors J.R. Dellies and Alex Behnke on the All-Conference list.
 

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038. Follow Mike on Twitter.