Canton Patch Athlete of the Week: Haley Gaughan

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Haley Gaughan

NAME OF TEAMS: Canton High School and Teams

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: "Haley is an assistant captain for us," said Canton High School Girls Ice Hockey Coach Kelly Rider. "After three games she currently leads us in scoring with 5 goals and 3 assists. She's constantly a threat to every team we play due to her skating and shooting ability. She should continue to be one of the top players in our league (SEMGHL) again this year."

“Haley had great success, and also allowed us to change her position which displayed how unselfish a player she is and how talented and versatile she has become through hard work and preparation during the season and the off-season," Canton High Girls Field Hockey Coach Fior Griffin said. "She combines great skills with outstanding speed and makes everyone a better player. Haley is a very intelligent player with great instincts and passing skills and gets everyone on the team involved. She never complains and puts the team before herself. She is very mature and a great team leader and will be sorely missed both on and off the field next season.”

WHY IS SHE THE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK?: Haley completed her scholastic Field Hockey career leading Canton to its third consecutive Haley had a team-leading 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points and was named a League All-Star. The same week, Haley began her Ice Hockey season with five goals and three assists in Canton’s first three games against very strong non-league competition.

FAVORITE CAREER ATHLETIC MOMENT: Haley played for the Massachusetts Spitfires Girls Ice Hockey Team and in a Thanksgiving Tournament, she scored the winning goal, with only 11 seconds left in overtime of the Championship Game, from behind the opposition’s net.

STATISTICS: Haley is incredibly, a five-sport athlete at Canton High School. For All four years she has played varsity Field Hockey in the Fall and varsity Ice Hockey in the Winter. In the spring she has played varsity Lacrosse as a freshman, varsity Softball as a sophomore and varsity Track as a junior. This spring, Haley is leaning toward returning to Track.

FUTURE GOALS: Haley is still undecided on her college choice, but is a very good student, as well as an incredible athlete. She will play field hockey, next fall, at the collegiate level. She will also major in business and would like to study interior design and organizing special events.

NEXT UP: A big Ice Hockey Game, today (Saturday), against rival Franklin.

WHATS ON YOUR IPOD: Haley enjoys listening to all types of music.

OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL: Haley is a lifeguard, and is also a skate guard during Public Skating at the Canton Rink. Haley also babysits, swims and plays golf and tennis, displaying her great athleticism in all sports. Haley also enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

FINAL WORDS: “I would like to thank my family (mother, father, two older sisters and a younger brother,) who are all very athletic," Haley said. "I would also like to thank my many coaches, teammates, teachers and friends for their support and help and guidance. Without all of them, I wouldn’t have had the success that I’ve been able to achieve.”