Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 18:31
Blake’s leading scorer on the ice is a rare three-sport star
By Andrew Vitalis
Let’s Play Hockey
John Hamre, Blake head coach, describes himself as a no-nonsense guy, someone who doesn’t pull any punches and doesn’t throw around compliments unless they are deserved. That’s what made his comments about George Ordway, one of his senior captains and leading scorer, so profound.
It’s just one of the reasons why Hamre named Ordway one of his captains when Ordway was just a junior. It was only the second time in Hamre’s tenure at Blake he could remember an underclassmen being named captain.
“His engine is always running,” Hamre said. “He has tremendous focus. He is a leader in the locker room and he leads by example on the ice. He is a very unselfish, team-oriented player.The thing about George is that he has tremendous focus when it comes to what he’s doing at the time.
“He’s also a great soccer and lacrosse player. Oh, and by the way, he’s a wonderful golfer. Oh, and by the way, he’s a very respectful young man. Oh, and by the way, he’s a talented student. He’s very humble and sincere.”
Hamre could have gone on and on, and he’s not alone. Rob Horn, Ordway’s lacrosse coach at Blake, didn’t waste any time elaborating on Hamre’s comments. He, too, has seen Ordway in action, both on and off the field.
Ordway has been a member of the Blake lacrosse team since his freshman season. In addition, the Blake senior has been named to the all-state lacrosse team twice and named All-American once. Oh, and by the way, he’s also been named all-conference in soccer. Oh, and by the way, he has a 3.5 GPA. Get the idea?
“I tend to socialize key words with all of my players. The word I use when it comes to George is competitor,” Horn saod. “He competes hard with everything he does. He gives 110 to 120 percent every time he does something and that rubs off on his teammates. He might not be the biggest or the strongest kid out there, but he has one of the biggest competitive hearts I have ever seen.”
Strong words, but when it comes to Ordway, very fitting. A forward on the Blake hockey team, he is currently in the middle of his senior campaign, and in terms of performance, seems to be saving his best for last. In addition to being the team’s leading scorer, Ordway’s leadership has helped the Bears to a No. 2 ranking in Class A with a 17-2-2 record.
No question, while he catches your attention every shift he steps onto the ice, Ordway’s value really comes into focus on special teams. He leads the team in power play goals and is ferocious on the penalty kill. For a guy who loves to compete, Ordway looks at the game of hockey to fill his appetite.
“I’ve played it all my life,” said Ordway, when asked about hockey. “I love the power play; I love the penalty kill. Special teams have always been fun for me. Playing hockey has always been something really special for me. Our two other captains (Donald Chute and Ryan Bullock) are really good friends of mine and we work together really well. This team is special because we all get along really well, we have so many seniors on the team and we are all really good friends. It’s not necessarily me or the three captains, everyone has a role.”
Hamre couldn’t agree more.
“George is all about leadership, but so are the rest of the seniors on the team. You don’t have to have a letter on your chest to be a leader. Our three captains are very complementary of one another, so we are very fortunate; we really do have outstanding leaders.
“George is one of those leaders and the guys pay attention to what he brings to the ice. He leaves it out on the ice every shift, every game he plays. You can’t ask for more when it comes to leading by example.”
Ultimately, across the board, the words “leader” and “competitor” rise to the top when trying to figure out what makes Ordway tick. He’s a rarity – a three-sport star who is also excellent in the classroom.
Even Ordway himself has trouble explaining what his secret is. Actually, one of the reasons why he has difficulty sharing his secret to success is because he doesn’t see the big deal. To Ordway, it’s a normal routine from a normal guy.
“I actually like having my hands full. Playing sports keeps me focused. I remember once after we lost in soccer and the season was over, there was some down time before hockey started. I would come home after school and just fall asleep. I didn’t like doing that; I like being active. It is sometimes tough to balance the academic side of it, but it kind of comes naturally I guess.”
“It definitely does impress me,” Phil Ordway, George’s father, said when asked about his son’s ability to multi-task. “He somehow switches from one sport to the next but that’s also something that keeps him going. I think he likes the change in sports and then he plays golf in the summer. I think he looks forward to all of that. We spend a lot of time introducing him to other things as well. He enjoys it all.”
Basically, if the activity involves competition, Ordway is game. That sense of competition and teamwork was something he remembers being instilled in him at a young age. In addition to his parents Phil and Cassy, George gives credit to his older brother Jack as having a major influence in who he is today.
“I have an older brother (Jack), he’s two years older than me, and I have a younger brother who is a freshman. Being in the middle has definitely helped,” George said. “I can’t thank my older brother enough for paving the way for me. He taught me everything along the way. My parents are supportive and are happy with me having fun doing whatever I’m doing at the time. I’m really happy with the way things have worked out.”
And the journey is far from over. After the hockey season comes to a close, Ordway will move over to the lacrosse field for his senior campaign.
As for next year, although an official announcement will most likely come in March, Ordway plans on attending a Division III college in Vermont. Known for academics, Ordway plans to play hockey and lacrosse while juggling the academic commitment. Nothing new.
Horn is one of many who know whatever he decides to do, success will follow.
“Our motto on the lacrosse team is to be the best and George personifies that motto,” Horn said. “Forty years from now, that passion is what I will always remember.
“When he was a sophomore, he was playing attack for me and he was playing with his brother Jack who was a senior. It was during the section playoffs and we were playing the No. 1 team in our section. George assisted Jack on a goal. We ended up winning that game by one goal (George scored the game-winning goal in overtime), but I will always remember the embrace between George and his brother. I will always remember the emotion when they celebrated that goal.
“George truly cares. His passion for the game he plays and the passion he feels for the people around him is what makes George so special. I will always remember that moment.”
Well said Mr. Horn, well said.
