The Robbinsville-Allentown ice hockey team went 21-6 this season, winning the Colonial Valley Conference Tournament title, going an unprecedented 17-0 in games at Mercer County Park, reaching the NJSIAA South Public Co-Op Tournament championship game and being ranked in the state’s Top 20.
“The kids went on a wonderful run, and Jack Lawrence was right in the middle of it all with huge goals,” coach Dan Bergan said. “In our CVC Tournament run, Jake LaChance got the MVP and it was well deserved. But right behind him was Jack Lawrence doing what we needed to make this team what it was. He was an alternate captain and was a big part of leading those kids to what they did this year.”
The senior center was second on the team in goals with 20, tied for second in assists with 33 and third in points with 53, trailing senior linemates Lachance and James Morino.
“Jack was the centerman who fed those guys,” Bergan said. “He’s the glue who makes this team works.”
Lawrence’s final season capped an inspiring comeback for the Robbinsville resident, who missed nearly his entire sophomore season and spent much of his junior campaign reacclimating himself with his talents due to an ACL injury.
His misfortune began during a game in January 2023. As he raced into the corner to dig out a puck, the weight on his left leg resulted in him being pushed from behind; forcing him to cut hard on the knee.
“I heard a pop and knew right away that I had done something serious,” Lawrence said. “I have to say it was very tough sitting in the locker room with the trainer and hearing that it was potentially the ACL. ”
He underwent surgery a week later in early February, and during that time the mental anguish beat out any physical discomfort.
“The first two nights were the most painful, mentally and physically,” he said. “I remember laying on that bed thinking this would be my life for the next nine months.”
Fortunately for Jack, his self-prediction was as accurate as a weather forecast.
“I was wrong, because after every physical therapy session I saw minor progress — nothing groundbreaking, but the type of progress that promises you a better future and keeps you coming back.”
Nonetheless, having to sit on the sidelines and watch his team win the final Mercer County Tournament (before becoming the CVCT) was not easy for Lawrence.
“I remember all those games watching and wishing I could be out there with those guys.” he said. “I think a lot about the fun games I missed that year. However, all that time off gave me this hunger of just competing and the want to win that fueled us to win our CVC tournament”
And as much as he wanted to be on the ice for the MCT title, he didn’t want it at the expense of a championship.
“Would I trade being able to play that full year without the certainty that we’d win our county tournament?’ he said. “Not in a million years.”
As Lawrence sat out, he felt compassion for his parents, Mike and Melanie, who had who had to watch Jack’s older brother, Nicholas, undergo two ACL surgeries his freshman and senior years.
“It was extremely hard on them then, so I could only imagine how they felt after my injury,” Lawrence said. “Luckily, they had gone through the process twice already, so they knew how to handle it. My brother came back stronger and better and it gave me so much motivation because he was able to go through it and prevail. My brother pushed me without knowing it to get myself back in ways I had never done before.”
After surgery Lawrence was told the recommended window for returning to athletics in any capacity went from nine months to a full year, which “cut deep because a full year felt like a lifetime at 16 years old.” He continued to work hard and beat the timetable, returning to the ice in nine months for non-contact practices and playing his first game Jan. 4, 2024, slightly less than a year from the injury date.
But he wasn’t Sidney Crosby the minute he returned. Lawrence had to slowly work himself back in shape
“It takes more than one year to come back from that, to be the aggressive, not-think-about-it hockey player that he used to be,” Bergan said. “You lose an entire year of skills development. Not only do you not move forward, you’ve probably regressed considerably. You don’t just come back and bang! You’re where you were. It’s a year to get back where you were.”
Lawrence’s modest numbers that season were seven goals and 12 assists and R-A got bounced from the state tournament in the first round and the CVCT in the semifinals.
“Last year was disappointing as a team,” he said. “The integration of Jackson Memorial brought in new guys that brought great energy and friendship, but the year just didn’t pan out for us. I felt like I was in great shape but our success as a team was short-lived.”
Nonetheless, Jack was back, and that’s what mattered. “That junior season holds a special place in my heart because of the fun we had,” he said. “Wins and success is one thing, but memories and fun is something you don’t truly notice until it’s left you.”
This year was the payoff for everything that Lawrence endured, as he enjoyed both fun and success. After beginning the season on the second line, an injury on the first line pushed him up between Lachance and Morino. They became a dynamic force.
“The chemistry of that line was undeniable,” Bergan said.
“Moving up was a great feeling,” Lawrence said. “I’d like to believe that my play made my linemates better, but I have no doubt that those two made me a more complete player. When you have All-State talent like Jake and James, it’s hard not to feel more confident in yourself and confidence in your unit in general. They amplified my senior year in ways words cannot describe and hopefully they can say the same.”
The team success, of course, made things that much better. In fact, Lawrence felt it “was perfect in every way.”
“We achieved so much and the bond we formed over the year was unbreakable,” he said. “The fun we had and the memories we made are things I’ll remember the rest of my life. Falling short in the sectional final (to North Hunterdon) was a tough pill to swallow but our conference tournament win was one of the most memorable games I’ve ever been a part of.”
It was enhanced by the fact he was following in the footsteps of Nicholas, and that his games were also being broadcast on the Ravens website (and seen on YouTube) by his dad and brother. Bergan had special praise for Mike’s announcing skills.
“He’s Mike Emrick, he’s just outstanding” the coach said. “It’s really neat when you get to put a video in the vault of you as a dad calling your son’s entire junior and senior career; and have it all on film.
“It’s a nice family story. His dad is our head manager in terms of coordinating the on-ice stuff, and Nick helps with the play-by-play. Their mom has been wonderful in terms of the banquets and fund raising. The whole family is as integrated into the Ravens family as deep as you can get.”
Lawrence won’t argue with that
“It’s definitely in my blood,” he said. “My brother sparked the love I have for the game and I hope I was able to at least fill his shoes. The fact my brother played and my was dad was doing our play-by-play just made it mean so much more to me.”
It was a great way to go out, as Lawrence’s hockey career has come to a close.
“It sounds like knee issues run in his family,” Bergan said. “I think he was happy to get out healthy this year.”
Lawrence is now hitting drives and sinking putts for the Ravens golf team. Last year he finished tied for 36th with a score of 90 in the CVCT, and is looking to make the sport his future. He will attend Penn State to study Professional Golf Management with the goal of becoming a teaching professional and earning his MBA.
“I’m hoping to play strong, consistent golf and have a memorable senior season,” he said. “I’m hoping our team can win our conference and just have a successful season.”
Sounds like an instant replay of his hockey season, which was certainly well earned success.
Jack Lawrence helped lead Ravens hockey to a conference title and a 21-6 record.,
