Thursday, March 8, 2007 Older Editions

On ice: Andover hockey in playoffs, injured star in stands

By Brian Messenger

It was the worst break of Andover High School senior Dan Godefroi's heralded athletic career.

"I just got hit. It was a clean hit and my skate just got caught in the ice and twisted weird," said the defensemen, who's also the hockey team's fourth-leading scorer this year. "I didn't think it was that bad."

The play occurred in first period of the last game of the regular season for conference champion Andover. It would also turn out to be the last game of Godefroi's four-year hockey career at Andover High. Godefroi finished the game, but later learned an ankle injury would leave him sidelined for the entire Division 2 North state hockey tournament.

But Godefroi is proving he can still be a force.

"He's at every single practice," said Andover Head Coach Mario Martiniello.

Sophomore defensemen Ricky Shanahan said his teammate is the same kid, crutches or not.

"Same as he was before," said Shanahan. "Playing around in the locker room, goofing around."

The crutches, in fact, have become somewhat of a tool to rally the troops during games, according to Godefroi. After a goal, players have been seen high-fiving or bumping their fists on the crutches.

"Crutches aren't exactly the most fun thing to have," Godefroi said. "After a good play or a nice goal, I try to get the team to pound my crutches."

Players and coaches are used to hearing his yells of support.

"He could barely talk on the bus ride home, his voice was so hoarse [from cheering]," recalled Martiniello after a win over Haverhill in the first round of the tournament. "He's been a tremendous supporter of the boys. He's with us every step of the way, whether he's on the ice or there rooting on the team."

The injury

Godefroi's injury occured in front of the opposing team's bench in what would become a 4-1 win over rival Tewksbury.

"It seemed like a freaky one," said Martiniello of the injury to Godefroi's left ankle. "He said he was fine."

Godefroi was playing just fine. The two-sport standout finished the game and tallied a pair of assists in the process, his 15th and 16th on the year - numbers good enough for him to earn Merrimack Valley/Dual County League All-Conference team status for the second straight year.

But before the All-Conference team was announced, came a devastating visit to the doctors.

"A devastating loss for him, for the team," said Martiniello. "It was not fun finding out the next couple days that he was going to be out for the tournament."

An x-ray revealed a fracture to Godefroi's left ankle and an MRI showed signs of a high ankle sprain.

"I was done with hockey for the rest of my life, probably - competitive hockey. It's a hard way to end it," said the 18-year-old. He's played the game for as long as he can remember.

Since then, Godefroi has watched two tournament games from the stands, wins over Haverhill (6-1) and Tewksbury (4-1), and will be back at the doctor's office today, the same day his teammates hope to wake up as one of two schools remaining in the Division 2 North tournament.

The third-ranked Golden Warriors (17-5-1) faced off against second-ranked Masconomet (16-3-3) last night, Wednesday, at Billerica's Chelmsford Forum, after Townsman press time, for the right to make it to the state championship game.

"There's always the thought that you could get hurt," said Godefroi, whose worst injury prior to this was a broken thumb.

For that he wore just a splint but now he's resigned for the time being with the crutches and a plastic boot, which was already signed by teammates and friends as he sat to watch his teammates prepare for their semi-final game at the Lawrence Valley Forum.

"It's been hard to watch, but they've played well, two good games against Merrimack Valley Conference rivals," said Godefroi. "I don't really have anything better to do than to come here."

While definitely a fan of Godefroi's game before the ankle injury, Martiniello said his performance since then has been nothing short of "phenomenal."