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A triumphant year for the New Canaan girls' varsity ice hockey team just got even sweeter. New Canaan sealed its fourth FCIAC title in six years in March with a thrilling 3-0 victory over rival Darien. Now the Fairfield County Sports Commission is recognizing the girls as the New Canaan Sports Persons of the Year.
"These girls are like my extended family in the winter," head coach Rich Bulan said. "All the groups I've coached have been special, but an award like this puts the season in perspective."
New Canaan was sparked all year on offense by freshman Olivia Hompe, who scored two goals and added an assist in the FCIAC title game. Senior Charlotte Spitzfaden was a rock in the net for the Rams, coming up with big saves and multiple shutouts during the year. A total of 16 players will return for the 2010-11 season for New Canaan, so the team looks ready to dominate again.
"I'm just thrilled for the girls and the parents and the program," Bulan said. "I've been here 10 years and I've never seen anything like this as far as support for the program. I've just been blessed year in and year out. I keep getting great kids and great parents."
Bulan said he has invited the entire team to attend the awards ceremony. The New Canaan girls' varsity ice hockey team will be honored alongside 14 other sports standouts from Fairfield County at the annual Sports Night awards dinner on Monday, Oct. 18, at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich at 6 p.m. In each of the 15 communities, a committee headed by a local town representative of the Commission, selected a Sports Person of the Year. Each winner was deemed to have had the most positive impact in their sports community from August 2009 to August 2010.
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