On Sunday December 4th the Northview Wildcats traveled to Hudson for a game versus the Explorers. This game followed an exciting 4-2 win the previous night against Bowling Green and resulted in an 8-1 victory for the cats. Lost in the less then exciting afternoon was the 15th assist of the year by senior captain Adam Thanasiu. The play went back to center ice and the game went on. What the players and the coaches didn’t realize at the time was this was no ordinary assist. With that assist Adam moved into sole possession of the all-time assist lead in Northview hockey history Passing Bob Napierala’s 135 assist from 1978-1982. What makes this accomplishment even more impressive is that Adam is not a forward but a defenseman.
Adam came to Northview in 2002 after playing travel hockey for Sylvania and a couple of years for the junior cats spring league teams. He made the team as a freshman and coaches believed he would be a very solid 4-year player. Not only has been solid, but he has been the leader of the defensive unit for a better part of three years. He has quarterbacked the #1 power play from his sophomore year through this current season, and thrilled the student body with his physical defensive play. His position coach Steve Elliott has repeatedly said “With due respect to other players I have coached, he is the best defenseman I have ever worked with. He reads the play excellent and rarely makes a mistake. I take him for granted sometimes, and he makes my job easierâ€Â. Adam has continued his torrid pace with his assist, adding 25 more since that early December game bringing his total to 161. More importantly his leadership has helped the 2005-06 Northview icers to a 17-2-1 record and a first place standing in the Northwest hockey conference. Congratulations to Adam and good luck cats on the rest of your season.
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