Trent a Leader On and Off the Ice for Knights

The West Essex ice hockey team has had contributions throughout its lineup—but there's one player who always seems to be in the middle of the scoring.

Travis Trent, a 5-foot-5 junior forward, has compiled 34 goals and 37 assists for 71 points for the eighth-seeded Knights, who continue their postseason run Wednesday night against No. 21 Madison in the NJSIAA Public B state tournament semifinals at Mennen Arena in Morristown at 8 p.m.

"I think that coming into a season when other teams know who you are, motivates you to perform at a higher level, as well as it gives my teammates a chance to step up and show their abilities," Trent said.

Tabbed a "Player to Watch" by the Star-Ledger coming into the season, there have been high standards placed on Trent this year. He's more than lived up to them, earning MVP last month of the NJIHL Central Division Championship, also known as the McInnis Cup.

Reaching this level, however, hasn't come overnight. Trent began skating when he was just 2 years old, and was hooked on the sport right from the start.

"My brother introduced me to hockey and ever since then I've always made every effort to be the best I could," Trent said.

Many smaller-sized, highly skilled players like Trent have succeeded in the game. Trent compares himself to Ryan Bourque, a member of the New York Rangers organization and right winger for the USA world junior hockey team who is the son of former NHL defenseman Ray Bourque.

Trent, who called the younger Bourque "hard working, dedicated and utilizes all of his skill without being as tall," is a member of West Essex's top line that also includes senior Matt Trenk and junior David Chmielewsky.

"He always somehow finds a way to be the best player on the ice for our team," West Essex senior forward John Fox said.

In addition to being one of the team's elite players, along with Fox, Trent's work ethic off the ice has rubbed off on some of the team's younger members.

"I have always been impressed with the way Travis works both on and off the ice," freshman forward Louis Coniglio said. "He is a positive role model and sets a great example for the younger players."

But Trent can't take all the credit for the team's success. He said the Knights' leadership begins with their senior class that includes Fox, Matt Trenk, Wes Bechtler and Erik Wolfer.

"I think setting a good example on and off the ice for the younger players is very important to the team's success," Trent said. "However, it is not only me. The great leadership shown by the seniors has really given all of the players, no matter their age, the motivation to perform to their highest possible ability."

While Trent has aspirations of perhaps playing Division-I hockey in a few years, his focus remains on helping the Knights capture a state championship this year.

"I hope to play competitive college hockey, maybe even Division I, but for now, it's all about living in the moment," he said. "This year's team has great potential and we really work well together. I really knew that we had it in us to make a deep run in the state tournament if we performed up to our full potential."

Jesse Feldman is a student at West Essex Regional High School and is part of the school's internship program with The Caldwells Patch.