Ian Murphy remembers the defining scene well.

The Boston College High hockey team was fully engaged in an afternoon practice session across the street at the University of Massachusetts Boston. From ice level, the junior forward from Braintree watched as a freshman teammate poked the puck away from Ryan Campbell.

Murphy realized Campbell was pretty upset, so what happened next really didn’t surprise any of his Eagle teammates. One mistake will not halt his determination or drive.

“He probably scored two goals in one 3-on-3 shift,’’ said Murphy of Campbell, a junior defenseman from Scituate.

Campbell is not a natural goal scorer. He is not an attention grabber. But he may be the most important player on the BC High roster, the No. 1 ranked team in the Globe’s boys’ hockey rankings. He does the little things critical to a team’s success, particularly in the tournament. He brings the intensity every day.

“A player that’s willing to play in all three zones are the guys you need,’’ said Archbishop Williams boys’ coach Derackk Curtis during a practice session Monday afternoon at the Canton SportsPlex.

“They’re hard to come by.’’

Every team needs a player like Cullen Lyne, a senior assistant captain whom Curtis says is the motor that drives his ABW squad.

After a three-win season last winter, Lyne has spearheaded a resurgent ABW team that stormed to a 6-2-2 start.

“It’s a really blue collar-type of hockey club,’’ Curtis said. “They’re not looking for one kid to step out and carry the team.’’

Lyne has never been a potent scorer. But according to his coaches and teammates, the senior forward is a vocal presence on the ice and in the locker room, is great on the forecheck and keeping defenses from dumping the puck out of the attacking zone.

“I have a little skill but I work hard,’’ said the 6-foot Lyne, who has tallied three goals and nine assists this season. “If I’m working hard, then everyone looks up to me so they’re working hard too’’

Lyne, according to his teammates, embodies their coach’s mantra: “Chop wood, carry water.’’

“We don’t need talent; we don’t need the best hands,’’ said senior captain Pat Twombly. “We just need people to come out, skate hard and be willing to give it all.’’

Twombly, a 5-11 senior defenseman, doesn’t try to play beyond his skillset: he’s steady, physical, and knows when to drive a slapper on goal from the blue line.

“He’s not going to pick up the puck and rush all the way down the ice and score a big goal. He plays a nice, smart hockey game,’’ Curtis said. “You need players like that if you want to go to the tournament.’’

Twombly said he idolizes the Bruins’ Torey Krug, a creative offensive player from the point.

“On the power play I try to get as much offense to the net as possible and make plays.’’

Milton Academy coach Paul Cannata says that the offensive-minded defenseman is becoming a more integral part of the high school game, partially due to changes in officiating.

“Now, defenseman who can skate and handle the puck will move up the ladder,’’ said the coach.

Buddy Mrowka, a 5-9 junior from Duxbury, has collected a goal and seven assists in Milton

“Sometimes your forwards need another guy to get up in the attack. At certain times if they need a little boost, I can give them that.’’

Collin van der Veen, a 6-5 senior from Duxbury says having Mrowka alongside is like having a fourth forward.

“It’s something that the other team has to keep tabs on,’’ said van der Veen.

At Hanover High, senior captain Landon Hasenfuss brings the energy in a different way. Last year’s Patriot League MVP is a skilled two-way forward: able to chip in offensively (five goals, 24 assists in 13 games) and trek back on defense.

“He’s a hard-nosed, two way player,’’ said Hanover High coach Jonny Abban. “He gets in those dirty areas and he’s not afraid of contact.’’

Goalie Noah Clapp, a fellow senior captain, has posted a 1.08 goals against average, backstopping the Indians to an 11-1-1 start.

“[Landon] can deliver any kind of leadership or player role you need,’’ Clapp said.

Clapp remembers a January game against Quincy in which Hasenfuss took a hit that cut his chin open. Blood streamed down his face, but Hasenfuss finished the game. He received nine stitches at game’s end, and missed the next contest.

“He’s a great, physical player,’’ Clapp said.

The pair were key contributors on a Hanover squad that advanced to the Division 3 state final as sophomores.

Hasenfuss has been a three-year fixture at Hanover. Campbell barely played last year at BC High.

Affectionately known as “Soupy’’ by his teammates, he has emerged as a top three defenseman for the Eagles.

“He just showed up and didn’t complain,’’ said Billy Roche, a four-year defenseman from Braintree.

“He keeps his game simple. He doesn’t do too much.’’

Campbell often is the one to rile up his teammates, announcing the starting lineup moments before the opening faceoff with a dramatic flair.

“He personifies a BC High hockey player,’’ said coach John Flaherty . “Someone who does well in school, works really hard and contributes on the ice.’’

Campbell just wants to take care of business.

“Whatever that is: winning battles or laying a few hits to try to get the team going,’’ Campbell said. “Everybody on the team is hardworking and trying to work to the same goal of a Super Eight championship.’’

Matt MacCormack can be reached at matt.maccormack@globe.com.