WESTON, Mass. — Playing hockey since he was four years old, Connor Burke has developed a high level of hockey IQ. He knows where his teammates are on the ice and, thus, is a formidable playmaker for his team. As center, Connor plays a huge role on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ice.

He has been on the Dover-Sherborn/Weston Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey team for four years, and has been captain of the varsity team for both his junior and senior years of high school. They are looking to go to the playoffs this year, especially since they could not play last year in the playoffs due to the pandemic. Connor also played fall hockey for the Assabet Patriots U18 team.

Connor’s leadership skills do not stop once he steps off the ice. He is also captain of the golf and lacrosse teams as a senior at WHS. Below is our interview with Connor Burke.

What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?

Connor Burke: “My personal goals are to be the best possible leader I can be and to influence my teammates in a positive way. As someone who has had several mentors who have had a strong impact on me, I specifically want to be a positive role model for underclassmen and their development.”

What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?

Burke: “My size. Hockey is a very physical sport, which makes it tough to be on the smaller size. However, I find that it is more about heart than size. I love and live by Mark Twain’s quote, ‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.’”

What was the best advice you were ever given?

Burke: “It doesn’t matter your size. You can do anything you set your mind to as long as you believe you can do it.”

What do you love about your sport?

Burke: “I love the relationships I have built through hockey. I believe that hockey is unlike any other sport in the way that it brings teammates together. Some of my strongest friendships were formed in a hockey rink.”

Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?

Burke: “Before every game, I like to tape my stick while I am right next to the ice and try to get locked in and ready for the game. I also usually listen to country music before every game, which probably isn’t what most hockey players do in order to get game-ready.”

What do you like to do outside of your sport?

Burke: “I love fishing with my buddies, spending time with my family, and playing golf.”

What has being a member of a team taught you?

Burke: “Being on a team has taught me how to push myself and work harder. It is actually easier to work for something when you are not only doing it for yourself, but you are doing it for your teammates. I fight harder for my teammates. It also has taught me how to be a good leader.”

Describe a mistake you made while playing and how you overcame it.

Burke: “I have made many mistakes throughout my career both on the ice and off the ice; however, I find that, when you make a mistake on the ice, rather than fixate on what could have gone differently, you need to focus on the next shift and how you can help the team.”

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