Magical Run Earns Woodstock Their First GSHL Title

On Saturday night, a local high school hockey team that had played their entire season in honor of a man who had dedicated so much to their program, achieved their ultimate goal as they defeated Forsyth in the GSHL State Championship Tournament Final.

When the late Deane Evans started the Woodstock Ice Hockey Team 7 years ago it is hard to believe that he could have imagined the impact he would have on the school’s players and families in the years ahead.  Deane became the owner and the coach of the club when his oldest son Daniel was a Sophomore and continued to run the program as his younger son Ollie tended goal for Woodstock through his Junior season.  The program saw great success under Deane, on and off the ice, making two state championship appearances while preparing countless student athletes for college and the every day rigors of the real world that were ahead.

Following the end of last season, with no kids of his own left in the program, Deane told his family that while he would continue to remain actively involved in the team’s operations and behind the scenes work as the club’s owner, it would be time to hand over his coaching role and some of the day to day commitments that come with it at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 season.  He could have easily relinquished some of his responsibilities after his son Ollie made the Jr. Knights following the 2007 season, effectively ending his kids playing days for Woodstock, and nobody would have blamed him, but Deane felt a strong connection to this particular group and felt that the 2009-2010 club had something special.  It was a group that included 7 seniors, countless character players, and a goaltender with a knack for stepping up in the biggest of games, all facts that Deane knew could lead to an incredible season.

Deane Evans passed away last June, just a few short months before the start of what was to be his final season behind the bench with this special group.  His son, Daniel, stepped in and joined assistant coaches Brian Overy and Rich Fiorillo behind the bench as the group of 17 high school hockey players took the ice last fall and dedicated their season to their programs founder and their beloved coach.

The State Championship game would feature the motivated group of student athletes from Woodstock taking on the powerhouse and wire to wire favorite club from Forsyth.  Forsyth entered the playoffs on an incredible winning streak, easily handling the majority of their opponents throughout regular season play.  Woodstock battled hard throughout and used a team effort to hold on to a 2-2 tie after two periods of play.  With about ten minutes left to play Forsyth scored the go ahead goal but the lead was short lived as Woodstock’s Ryan Simpson tied it up with five minutes to play.  Regulation play would end with the two clubs tied 3-3, and when a 5 minute sudden death overtime couldn’t determine a winner, the teams headed to a shootout.  Connor Colburn and Ricky Fiorillo each scored for Woodstock and Junior Goaltender Drake Bordnick closed the door on the other end as Woodstock completed their journey and were crowned AAA State Champs.

The Atlanta Thrashers would like to congratulate the Woodstock Ice Hockey Team and the Evans family on their remarkable run throughout the 2009-2010 season.