How has Shane Starrett handled his first season on the men’s hockey team at the Air Force Academy?
With poise, precision, and stellar play.
And in the opinion of Air Force coach Frank Serratore, the freshman goaltender from Bellingham has been the most valuable player for the playoff-bound Falcons.
“Shane has consistently performed at a very high level all season and he gives our young team a chance to win virtually every night,’’ Serratore said after the 6-foot-5 netminder registered 28 saves in a 3-0 win of Niagara last Saturday, his fourth shutout of the season.
His 2.00 goals against average, .920 save percentage and 14-8-5 record has fueled the Falcons’ run to second place in the Atlantic Hockey Conference and a first-round bye in the conference tournament. His GAA average is the second-lowest among freshman nationally.
Air Force (18-11-5 overall, 16-7-5 AHC ) will host its conference quarterfinal round games March 11-13 at the Cadet Ice Arena.
The 21-year-old Starrett was tabbed the conference’s goalie of the month for January after allowing 10 goals over an 8-game span, and the AHC’s Goalie of the Week this past week.
He played for Catholic Memorial from 8th grade through junior year before graduating from the South Kent School (Conn.) in 2013. Starrett went on to play two all-star seasons in the US Premier Hockey League with the Portland Junior Pirates and South Shore Kings.
His older brothers, Peter and Troy, played hockey at Harvard and Babson College, respectively, while his younger brother, Beau, is a freshman on the Cornell University hockey team.
Q. When did you become a goalie?
A. I was eight years old and was with the Tri-Valley Indians youth league team. I wasn’t the greatest scorer back then so looking back, being in the net was a good change.
Q. Your favorite NHL player is Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne. Any coincidence that he’s also 6-foot-5?
A. No coincidence. I’ve tried to model my play after him. He’s big and athletic and we’re kind of built the same.
Q. Is your height an advantage?
A. You can sometimes get to a puck that a shorter goalie might not reach, but agility and hockey sense are more important.
Q. What is your commitment to the Air force after graduation?
A. A minimum of five years service, not including college.
Q. What has been your biggest adjustment to the college game?
A. The speed and strength of the players and the higher skill level. I knew coming in I would be battling for a starting spot and worked very hard over the summer with Mike Buckley, my goalie coach.
Q. Did you ever play with or against any of your brothers?
A. I played at CM with Troy and Beau. And I played with Beau while with the Kings and against him when I was with the Pirates. I made sure he didn’t score on me, though.
Q. What was behind your decision to attend the Academy?
A. They were interested in me and they’re one of the top academic schools in the nation. It was an opportunity to play Division 1 hockey and eventually serve my country.
Q. When you played at Holy Cross in mid-February, was there time to get together with family?
A. There were 14 friends and family there and after the Saturday game we had a team dinner in Worcester, which my parents attended.
Q. As a member of Cadet Squadron 4, describe your typical day.
A. “We’re up and into hallway in uniform at 6:45. I have classes from 7:30 to 11:30 and after lunch head down to the rink for practice. After dinner, I do homework until 10:30 or 11.
Q. This will be your first postseason college tournament. What is your focus?
A. Not to change anything. It’s been going pretty well lately. I just want to relax and not overthink the game.
Q. What has been your most challenging class at the Academy?
A. Military History. There’s a lot of reading and a quiz every day.
Q. Do you and your older brothers stay in close touch?
A. Yes. There’s a lot of encouragement and also some kidding around and it means a lot to Beau and myself that they are there for us.
MARVIN PAVE
For full interview, go to bostonglobe.com/west
