Trevor Lewis went to Syracuse, N.Y., two years ago to develop his hockey skills and land a spot with an NCAA Division I hockey program.
Things have turned out better than he could have hoped.
Lewis, a 2006 Warwick High graduate, is the leading scorer in the Eastern Junior Hockey League in his second season with the Syracuse Stars. His team is 20-6-4-1 and in first place in the Junior A EJHL's Northern Division.
On Monday, Lewis will be one of seven Syracuse players in the EJHL All-Star Game in Hooksett, N.H.
"It's definitely been a fun season," Lewis, 20, said Thursday over the phone from Syracuse.
In December, he took care of his college plans, committing to play at Robert Morris University, the Pittsburgh area school which competes in Division I College Hockey America.
"I took a visit there and fell in love with the school," he said. "The players treated me well, and everyone gets along great."
Lewis, who is playing right wing, has 51 points on 19 goals (he's tied for fifth in the league) and a league-high 32 assists in 31 games this season. In his first season in Syracuse, he had 40 points on 16 goals and 24 assists in 44 games.
"Trevor is having a phenomenal season," Stars coach Chris Firriolo said. "He finished really strong last year, and we knew he'd be one of our top players this season. He's been a team leader on and off the ice.
"Every coach would like have 20 players like him. He's a fierce competitor, and his work ethic is second to none. His commitment wears off on the other players."
Lewis (5-11, 175) was one of a handful of players returning from a team that finished about .500 a year ago.
"We're a pretty young team," Lewis said. "The majority of players are in their first year with the team. But the older guys made sure everyone was working together."
Lewis credits his linemates, fellow all-star selections Chris Cannizarro and Rob Morton, for his impressive scoring statistics.
"It makes it easy when they get me the puck in good position," he said.
Of course, it also helps when you have the knack for being in the right spot.
"He's very instinctive," Firriolo said. "He sees a play developing two or three passes before they happen."
Lewis, Cannizarro and Morton, who were all on the team last year, are 1-2-3 on the Stars in scoring. Cannizzaro, from Cazenoiva, N.Y., has 43 points on 23 assists and a team-high 20 goals. Morton, from New Hartford, N.Y., has 31 points on 10 goals and 21 assists.
Lewis started playing hockey shortly after learning to skate at age 3. He competed for Warwick's team, as well as for a number of area youth-hockey teams, including the Lancaster Firebirds, Central Penn Panthers, Junior Flyers and Little Flyers.
To get to major-college hockey, he knew he had to get some experience in a developmental league. Several NHL players have played in the Stars' youth program, including the Kings' Dustin Brown, Sabres' Tim Connolly and Devils' Brian Gionta, as well as ex-Flyers goalie Robert Esche.
"The players here are bigger and faster," Lewis said. "The speed is a big thing. Things happen fast."
Obviously, Lewis has adjusted just fine. His goal for the rest of the season is to help the Stars win the league title. The 45-game regular season concludes Feb. 24. If the Stars reach the league playoff finals, they will qualify for the national junior tournament.
Firriolo has coached players who went on to play professionally. He thinks Lewis has that kind of potential.
"He's does have all the skills," Firriolo said. "He needs to get bigger and stronger. He'll be 24 when he graduates from college, and he'll be a different player then.
"Time will tell. Trevor is as talented as anyone I've ever coached. He's the kind of kid who will succeed. It depends on whether he gets the right break."
Lewis just wants to continue improving. He's not thinking about professional hockey right now.
"That's a long way off," he said. "But that's the goal of every kid who plays hockey. I'm just going to enjoy my four years of college hockey."
Jim Hersh is sports editor of the Sunday News. E-mail him at jhersh@lnpnews.com.
