After joining the Salem Boys Varsity Hockey team, senior Jack Baffy stepped into a different position from what he previously was playing during his time in travel hockey. This season, Salem beat the Plymouth Wildcats in the Park rival games, but unfortunately lost to the Canton Cobras. The teams will still play against each other in the playoffs. The Perspective sat down with Baffy to discuss what he hopes to accomplish next.
Molly Okon: How long have you been playing hockey for?
Jack Baffy: I’ve been playing hockey since I was five, so 12 years now, and I’ve been playing for school all four years I’ve been here.
MO: What inspired you to start playing hockey?
JB: My dad played hockey when he was younger, so he was a big inspiration for me.
MO: What hockey players do you look up to?
JB: My dad, my uncle used to play a lot. They’re really good, so I try to be like them.
MO: How has your experience as a team leader helped you become a better player and teammate?
JB: A lot of fun, especially with a lot of new guys this year. We graduated 12 seniors last year. It’s just been fun to get new guys, just meet them, build a culture in the locker room and on the ice and to kind of get the guys into high school hockey that are playing for the first time.
MO: Has it been hard trying to adjust to all of those new people on the team?
JB: It’s definitely hard. When I started playing, it was tough. I was very nervous, so I got the feeling for a lot of guys, but a lot of guys are fitting in well and adjusting, so it’s kind of fun.
MO: Have you broken any personal records?
JB: I don’t think so, not this year, at least. But I’ve put a lot of work into it over the summer. I’ve gotten a lot better, so I expect some stuff to happen.
MO: What are goals for this current season, and how close are you to achieving them?
JB: I probably want for the team to try to make it back to state quarter finals. We made the state semi [finals] last year. At least make to the state quarter final this year. And I think we have the talent to do that. We just need to get up to get everyone up to speed.
MO: How are you able to build up the skills to focus on both playing the game and skating at the same time?
JB: I been skating since I was four years old. Right before I started playing hockey, I learned how to skate. I think it kind of comes as a second nature to me. I’m always practicing and learning new stuff. It’s always, it’s just a constant learning process with being able to do different stuff while you’re skating.
MO: Tell me what the most difficult part about playing as a left wing is.
JB: In hockey, there’s different hands based on the way you hold your stick. Usually people are left-handed play on the left wing, but I’m right-handed and I play on the left wing. So it’s tough with that challenge to kind of push through and overcome because it’s a different way of playing.
MO: Do you plan on continuing hockey after high school?
JB: Probably not as super high level. I just want to continue for fun.
MO: If you were to give advice to anyone who is thinking about trying out for the hockey team, what would you say to them?
JB: I’d say just go for it. It’s a lot of fun, and you’ll meet a bunch of new people. It’s a great environment. There’s a lot of good people there. The coaches are really great.
MO: This last question is a bit interesting, but I want to get to know a little bit more about your personality. The last question is: If you could live in any fictional universe, which would you choose and why?
JB: Probably some sci-fi with technology. I don’t know what specifically, but some kind of futuristic world would be cool, with all the new technology and stuff, I think that’d probably be where I want to live.
