Thirty-two high school hockey players from across Rhode Island recently received prestigious Hobey Baker High School Character Awards during a recognition ceremony in the Senate Lounge of the Statehouse.

Among the 32 honorees were two Eagles — Adam Gorman, a member of the Barrington High School boys hockey team, and Mia Phelps, a member of the East Bay Eagles Co-op girls hockey team. 

“The benefits of sports go far beyond staying physically active,” said Sen. David P. Tikoian, who hosted the event. “For young people, being part of a team provides lessons that last a lifetime. Sports help us learn the value of hard work, and how to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Most importantly, sports build character. The Hobey Baker award recognizes those whose strong character has led them to excellence as players, teammates and leaders. I am honored to welcome these outstanding Rhode Island student-athletes to the State House and congratulate them on all their achievements.”

In 2003, the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation established the Hobey Baker High School Character Award to honor high school hockey players who exemplify the Hobey Baker ideal that “Character Builds Excellence.”

In 2006, the RI Interscholastic League Hockey Coaches Associations became one of the first state hockey associations in the country to embrace this award.    

Annually, a single senior hockey player from each participating high school hockey team is selected by the team’s coach for outstanding individual performance on and off the ice based on the following criteria: coachability, strength of character, integrity, commitment, teamwork, community leadership and outstanding sportsmanship.