High school hockey star dedicates incredible senior season to his late mother
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (BVM) – Josh Lerman was a senior hockey player at South Bend Adams High School this past season. The team captain stars on the ice, leading the state in scoring with 101 points in his final prep campaign. However, the hockey star played his spectacular senior year with a very heavy heart.
Lerman began skating at just 2 years old, and began playing hockey at age 5. The 18-year-old grew a love for the game thanks to his family, which has quite a background on the ice. Lerman’s father played the sport collegiately at Notre Dame and also went on to play for a semi-pro team in Sweden. Meanwhile, Lerman’s brothers have played for the prep hockey team at Culver Academies and went on to play junior hockey as well.
The hockey star’s grandfather also built a local rink where Lerman has been able to go throughout his life to practice, but also take the load off if needed.
“Hockey has always been important to me. My grandpa built the local rink so I have access to go there whenever I feel stressed or just want to go have fun,” Lerman said.
Through his youth career, the 18-year-old played AA travel hockey for his local team in South Bend. In high school, he would follow in the footsteps of his brothers and play at Culver Academies his freshman and sophomore seasons, as well as part of his junior season.
However, during that junior year, Lerman decided to go to South Bend Adams so he could be home with his mom and dad.
Lerman’s mother, Lisa, was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. She had already beaten the disease twice, but a third diagnosis came in 2017. Seeing her already defeat it, the family had plenty of optimism and hope that she would do so again.
“I believed she would beat it again,” the hockey star said. “She was a fighter and the strongest person I know. When she told me she was diagnosed again she said, ‘I’m going to lose my hair, but don’t worry about me because I’m going to kick this thing’s ass.’”
However, in Oct. 2019, Lisa’s health began declining. By the first weekend in November, the family realized she may not have much time left. The senior hockey player had just gotten back from an out-of-town tournament when he got a text from his dad saying the family should convene at the house.
By the time Lerman got home, many of his relatives were already there. He gave his mother a kiss and told her he loved her, and then went up to his bed to lie down. Shortly after, his father came in and broke the heartbreaking news that his mother had passed.
“I couldn’t believe that I had lost my mother. Losing one of your parents is every kid’s worst nightmare. My mom was always there for me. She was my coach in every aspect of my life, and she helped me with everything and gave me all the support in the world. Without my mom always keeping me in line I don’t know how I would have gotten through high school, been able to make friends, and be safe,” the 18-year-old said.
Losing a parent is one of the hardest times of anyone’s life, let alone an 18-year-old in the middle of his senior year of high school. Many would have understood if he needed to end his hockey season, but after just a week off, Lerman returned to the ice, with the plan to dedicate the rest of the season to his mother.
“My mom was always my biggest fan and motivator. I decided to dedicate the season to her and put everything I had into every second I was on the ice to make sure I was playing to the best ability I could,” Lerman said.
The dedication began in the locker room, where the entire team put stickers with Lisa’s initials onto their helmets.
“I remember the whole time my coach was giving his pregame speech I was looking down at the sticker on my helmet and thinking in my head, now it’s time to make mom proud. That first game back I skated the hardest I had ever skated in my life,” the 18-year-old said.
Lerman began playing some of the best hockey of his life, earning a hat-trick in his first game back. He would incredibly do the same over the next five games. The senior captain ended his season with 62 goals and 39 assists, and helped lead South Bend Adams to a No. 8 ranking in the state, and second place rank in the conference.
The team would also go on to win the South Bend City Championship in February, thanks to an incredible goal in overtime by Lerman. The goal was so impressive, it was even featured as No. 2 on SportsCenter’s Top Ten Plays.
Our boy @jlerman9494 made it on SportCenter! 🦅🏒 pic.twitter.com/AVbG2xLuDx
— Adams Eagles Hockey (@JAAdamsHockey) February 18, 2020
“I was in shock when I found out,” Lerman said when he heard he had a top play on SportsCenter. “It was awesome getting recognized for it by everyone at the school, and when I would walk into the local rink I was like a celebrity to the youth hockey players.”
Lerman had an incredible senior hockey season, and there is little doubt he made his mother proud. The star would remember her before games by closing his eyes and thinking about the great memories they had together. When he got on the ice, he would make sure not to put too much pressure on himself, knowing his mom would not be worried how well he played, but rather that he was having fun doing what he loves.
Lerman’s amazing season would not have been the same without the help of his teammates, and his coach, Mike Jamieson, either.
“Every hockey team I have ever played for, my teammates were my second family. This year, they were always there for me and cheering me up,” Lerman said. “I have also known coach Jamieson my whole life. I loved playing for him because he didn’t just care about how the team did, he cared about every kid on the team and how they were doing on and off the ice. He gave me tons of support when everything happened and told me to reach out to him whenever,” he added.
It was an unbelievable senior year that will never be forgotten by anyone involved. Lerman will now go on to attend the University of Arizona in the fall and plans to study business. He will continue on with his career on the ice as well, planning to play club hockey at the school.
If his mother was here today, the 18-year-old says he would thank her for all she has done for him, and for making him into the person he is today. The person Lerman has become is something special, and there is no doubt he made his mother proud during his senior season, and will continue to do so in the future.
