On Sunday, March 16, the New Trier Hockey Club green team defeated Benet Academy in the state championship at the United Center in Chicago. The Trevians won 1-0 with a goal from senior forward Ethan Baker. This is the 20th championship in program history, and the third in a row for the Trevians. Baker’s lone goal early during the first period and senior goalie Wyatt Schmidt’s shutout kept the Benet redwings at bay and led the team to victory.

Head coach Adam Cheris has only had seven seasons with the team, but said it “feels amazing” to have accomplished what he has with the team.

“I never thought this would be the case when I took on the role a few years back,” Cheris said. “We have a resilient group. This [competition] was the toughest and we knew it would be a hard one, but we never backed down.”

While Schmidt has been on the green team since his sophomore year and has played in the championship every year since, this was his first time as the starting goalie, which made the experience even more meaningful. 

“I’ve been at the [United Center] for two years, and won those two years, but I didn’t get to start,” Schmidt said. “This is special and different. It’s amazing and so incredible. I’m so happy to be here with these boys.”

Though Baker is a senior, this is his first year with the New Trier Hockey Club. Despite this, his bond with the team is very strong. 

“It’s awesome. I love these boys,” Baker said. 

The Trevians went 60-8 overall this season. Their overwhelming number of victories throughout the season and at various tournaments, like the Motown Tournament in Detroit and the Cactus Cup in Arizona, set them up for success at the United Center. Even though 17 seniors will be leaving the program, championship after championship after championship has set a high standard for the five returning players. 

“I’m fortunate to have these kinds of players, kids that come in and build a system,” Cheris said. “We have great talent and it shows.”