Hockey Player Scott Shannon is This Week's Whiz Kid

• Stoneham Patch Whiz Kid of the Week Scott Shannon, 19
• Accomplishment: Shannon will wear the “C” for the Spartans in the 2012 season and looks to improve on the Spartans 7-11 campaign last year. He is the team’s first line center.

Key to Awesomeness: Shannon netted eight goals and dished out 10 assists (18 points) last season for the Spartans and he has set the bar high for the upcoming 2011-2012 season.

“Our goals for the upcoming season are to make the tournament once again and try to get more Middlesex League wins than last year,” Shannon said. “We expect some close and competitive games because every game is going to be a grind.”

Shannon knows he has many responsibilities as captain, and he plans to keep the entire team even-keeled.

“I plan on keeping everyone’s head in the game, helping the team control their emotions and adapting the team to the speed of the game,” Shannon said. “I also need to lead them off the ice.”

The Spartans have a group of seniors on the team that have played in the league for a couple of years now, so experience will be a strength for this team, but according to Shannon, the team needs to improve on staying out of the penalty box.

“We need to take less penalties overall and give more effort in the practices and it will pay off in the end,” Shannon said.

The Spartans will have a new coach behind the bench for the 2012 season, and Shannon knows the team must adjust to his style of hockey.

“We will have to learn and get use to the coach’s drills and strategies, listen and respect what he has to say, and take advantage of the new system,” Shannon said.