2018-19 George Charette Award (Girls)

The “Charette Award,” goes to an outstanding male and female graduating senior. George Charette was a founder of the Morris County Youth Hockey League and coached for the New Jersey Colonials for many years.

The Colonials also recognize the outstanding effort of our Girls Finalist for the Charette Award: Clancy Chichetti.

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CHARETTE AWARD

Kate Monihan – 19U Major

Kate experienced an incredible hockey journey this past season. She was a key member of the 19U Major Colonials team that captured the Atlantic District Championship and advanced to the Quarterfinals of Nationals . She also served as a tri-captain of the Lawrenceville School Girls Ice Hockey Team, receiving USA Today ALL-USA Third Team honors. Kate topped off an these impressive accomplishments by earning a silver medal as a member of Team USA at the Under-18 Women’s World Championships in January.

Kate will continue her hockey and academic career at Princeton University this Fall. She can expect to see some Colonials jerseys in the stands cheering for her!

“Kate had another outstanding season leading our U19 Major team to a very successful season in both league play and against top competition in the US and Canada at a number of showcase events. We were very proud of Kate for being selected to Team USA U18 where she won a silver medal in Japan. Kate is a pleasure to coach and is a natural leader both on and off the ice with her work ethic, tenacity, love of the game, and positive communication with teammates. We wish her luck next year at Princeton University where we are certain she will continue to make her mark at the NCAA level.“

19U Major Coach, Shannon Paskaris

Kate will continue her hockey and academic career at Princeton University this Fall. She can expect to see some Colonials jerseys in the stands at home games!

“I first joined the NJ Colonials at U14 while making the transition from boys to girls hockey. The organization eased this transition and propelled me to be the player I am today. My very first impression was the camaraderie among the girls. I remember so distinctively arriving to skates and witnessing these girls joking, smiling, and laughing with one another. When they noticed my unfamiliar face, many of the girls introduced themselves and welcomed me into their group. From then on, I knew I was going to find a family in the Colonials organization – and I was right!

At my first nationals with the Colonials in Wisconsin, the older U16 team came to every single one of my team’s games to cheer us on, showing up wearing Colonials apparel and with signs for every girl. Our family was a special family, filled with love, support, and endless memories.

The Colonials offered me a unique opportunity in our region – a competitive organization of girls who loved hockey and strove to always improve their game. Being a part of something larger than myself, always representing the Colonials organization every time I stepped on the ice, taught me to always play with respect and pride. Every coach I’ve had at the Colonials has echoed those messages and the importance of playing as a team, working together to make one another better. As a player, throughout my years as a Colonial, I found myself constantly challenged by my teammates and my coaches. I had the privilege of playing under Don Gould who found every moment possible to teach, explain, and encourage us to have fun so that we would never stop loving the game.

My time as a NJ Colonial ultimately helped make me into the person that I am today. It is where I gained confidence in my abilities, learned to push myself on the ice, and challenged myself to take chances and be creative. I thrived in the camaraderie not only with the players on the bench, but with the coaches, families and the entire organization.”

— Kate Monihan, 2019 Girls George Charette Award Recipient

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CHARETTE FINALIST

Clancy Chichetti – 19U Elite

Clancy finished her youth hockey career after many seasons with the New Jersey Colonials. She was a key contributor to 19U Elite and the team’s 2019 MAWHA Championship.

“Clancy is a leader on the team even though she wasn’t named a Captain she showed she did not need a C on her chest to step up and be a leader on the ice in the locker room. Clancy is a player that excels in the classroom as well as on the ice. She has her sights on attending a big name school such as Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State”

— 19U Elite Coach, Tai DeNunzio

Clancy reflected on her years with the Colonials:

“I am so thankful for all the fond memories I have of playing for the New Jersey Colonials and for the wonderful coaches, teammates, and families I have met and bonded with over the years. This experience has taught me important life lessons and skills that have made me a better person. I have learned about commitment and the importance of measuring team success before personal achievement. The New Jersey Colonials have inspired me to be an advocate of self-discipline, responsibility, respect, and the need to work hard to achieve success. I am confident that these skills and life lessons have enabled me to become a responsible adult and will assist me in being successful in my future endeavors.”

— Clancy Chichetti – 19U Elite

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The Colonials Girls Program wishes both Kate and Clancy much success and happiness as they pursue their goals!