Jack Andres sits on the bench during a game on February 11. (Photo by Mark Czajkowski.)
Jack Andres battles with a Notre Dame player during a game on February 11. The Little Tigers lost 2-1. (Photo by Mark Czajkowski.)
Jack Andres made a name for himself on the lacrosse pitch as a freshman last year, and he’s doing the same and more for the Princeton High School ice hockey team as a sophomore.
Andres—praised in both sports for his commanding physical power at 6’3”, 210 pounds—started every game for the varsity lacrosse squad last spring. He reprised that role for the hockey team this year.
Andres was a member of the ice hockey team as a freshman, but he received limited playing time. Head coach Tim Campbell said Andres was almost like a new player by the start of this season.
“This year, I don’t know if it was just getting the year under his belt, but he came out firing on all cylinders,” he said. “He’s been doing a tremendous job.”
Campbell said many freshmen spend their first season getting used to the program. Andres wasn’t an exception, but since he’s adjusted, he hasn’t been stopped.
“He’s a natural athlete, and that’s not something that can be taught, especially in hockey,” Campbell said. “He had a natural athletic ability and good hockey talent, but, much like a lot of freshmen, he was just kind of learning the ways of the team, the league, and the expectations of varsity ice hockey.”
Andres said getting that year under his belt in both hockey and lacrosse made him a more effective athlete when he took the ice at the start of this season.
“I feel like I was in a lot of big pressure moments last year in lacrosse,” he said. “I learned from those. I learned how to keep my head up when we lose. I feel like that really taught me how to come out in hockey and do everything I do in lacrosse, just in a different sport.”
He’s done that in a big way. Andres leads the 11-7-1 Little Tigers in total points and goals scored, and his tenacious, physical play has garnered recognition from across the county.
Campbell even named him captain for part of the season after a senior was out due to injury.
“I was very excited,” Andres said. “I was pleased to hear it and nervous at the same time, but overall, I was pretty much excited. I was kind of nervous about what the other guys would say, but after I put the jersey on and they found out I was going to be captain, I felt pretty comfortable.”
Campbell said nerves were expected.
“It’s a lot of pressure on anybody,” he said. “It’s definitely a lot of pressure on a sophomore. Jack, mentally and physically had what it takes to be a leader, and he is.”
Though the other captain has since been reinstated, Campbell said he expects Andres to fill the captain’s role in the future. Andres sees himself as a full-time leader, too.
“I liked the role as captain,” he said. “I feel like I fit the role pretty well. I just tried to benefit the team as much as I could. I feel like I need to mature a little bit more on and off the ice, and then I’ll really be ready for whatever coach gives me.”
It seems like that growth is already starting. Andres said he saw an improvement in his play after his stint as captain ended.
“I always try to go out and make hustle plays and score as much as I can to try and win games for us,” he said, “but I feel like I’ve done more without the ‘C’ on my jersey.”
Campbell has taken notice of that effort. Then again, he said, it’s hard not to. Hockey is a physical game, and Andres uses his strength and size to his advantage.
“He’s only a sophomore, and he’s already a grown man,” he said. “A lot of times when that happens, your coordination lags behind, and it takes a year or two to catch up. That has never been the case for him. He’s the full package at a very young age.”
Campbell said Andres has a huge amount of potential that can only increase as he gains more experience.
“The possibilities are unlimited,” he said. “When he’s a senior, look out.”
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