Spotlight Athlete: Northview senior Justin Maroszek

1/11/2018

Justin Maroszek leads the Northview Wildcats hockey team, which is ranked sixth in the state, with 24 points. The senior forward has scored a team-high 12 goals to go along with a team-leading 12 assists.

Maroszek tallied seven goals and dished out seven assists as a junior, splitting time as a forward and defenseman. This is his second year with the Northview program after playing for the Toledo Cherokee junior hockey team as a freshman and sophomore.

The Wildcats (9-9-1 overall, 2-2-0 in the Northwest Hockey Conference Red Division) have been ranked as high as No. 3 in the state coaches poll.

Coach Steve Elliott said Maroszek is the team's leader on the ice and has assumed a larger role with his voice in the locker room.

“The other players respect his work ethic and how he brings it day in and day out to practice and games. We can count on him in every situation and play him in any position,” Elliott said.

Elliott said Maroszek has an incredible hockey IQ.

“He understands everything we want to be done out on the ice and is like another coach. He could play all five positions on the ice and play them very well,” Elliott said. “He seamlessly transitioned between forward and defense last year. He's been a main part of our strong play after a disappointing start.”

Maroszek, who also has played for the Northview baseball team, has solidified the Wildcats' team defense, according to Elliott.

“I compare him a lot to Pavel Datsyuk in his tenacity for the puck,” Elliott said. “Not overly big, he uses his hockey sense and strong stick play to cause turnovers and steal the puck from unsuspecting opponents.”

Contact Mark Monroe at mmonroe@theblade.com, 419-724-6354, or on Twitter @MonroeBlade.