She is living proof of 'You can do it.' If you work hard and believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything.”

Coach Michael Cox about Alexis Malnerich

The Rhode Island Reds Heritage Society recently honored recipients of this year's "Unsung Hockey Hero Awards."

Among the selections is Barrington High School's Alexis Malnerich.

Alexis Malnerich won this year’s Chuck Scherza award for women. Alexis attended Barrington High School and was coached by Michael Cox, playing for the East Bay Co-op.

Last year, Alexis decided that she wanted to play ice hockey for the East Bay Co-op team during her senior year of high school. One tiny problem: she had never player hockey in her life. So she bought all the equipment and joined every summer skills camp she could to learn the game.

Alexis was persistent and never gave up no matter how frustrated she got. Fortunately, she is an athlete by nature and took to hockey well.

"After just several months of training and learning, she blossomed into an incredible asset to the team," stated a press release from the Reds. "She was scoring goals, making good passes, blocking shots and living the dream of being a hockey player."

Her life before playing hockey could wear down the most seasoned player on any travel team. During the last 10 years she lived in Kentucky, Barrington, Singapore, back to Barrington, New York, Massachusetts, then back to Barrington.

"Her father’s job kept him out of the country for most of her life," stated the release. "The separation from her dad was very hard on her, but it somehow made her self-determined, self-reliant and independent."

Alexis is an excellent student, taking honors and advanced placement courses and earns mostly A’s and B’s.

“She is an incredible role model to all the girls on the team," Coach Michael Cox said. "She is living proof of 'You can do it.' If you work hard and believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything."

Alexis said her proudest moment was having her father in the stands watching her play hockey.

Awards are given to both male and female hockey players in memory of three former Rhode Island Reds standout players. The Chuck Scherza Award is given to forwards. The Fernie Flaman Award is given to defensemen and the Gil Mayer Award to goaltenders or defensive players.

Other award winners

The following players also received this year’s Rhode Island Reds Unsung Hero awards:   

• The Chuck Scherza award: Emma Byrnes from Smithfield, coached by Kerri Nadeau; and Sean Martin also from Smithfield, and coached by Robert Jackson. 

• The Fernie Flaman award will be presented to Rose Flaherty from Warwick, and coached by David Tibbitts.

• The Gil Mayer award will be given to LaSalle’s Sarah Lisa, a Seekonk, Mass. resident, coached by Sean McNamara.

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