Josh Bordeaux knew he had big shoes to fill this year. The Greenfield hockey backstop didn’t let the pressure faze him, however.
Nobody would have blamed him if it had. It’s hard enough taking over as the starting goalie as a sophomore, nevermind for a Green Wave program fresh off a season where it captured both a Western Mass. and state title. On top of that, the guy Bordeaux was taking over for between the pipes was Riley Drew, a longtime fixture in net who was instrumental in the Green Wave’s success as a four-year starter.
Despite all that pressure, Bordeaux delivered for Greenfield more than it probably could have even imagined this winter. He started all 11 games, helping lead the Wave to an unbeaten, 10-0-1 record during their shortened, COVID-19 season.
“It was very big shoes to fill,” Bordeaux said of replacing Drew. “He had an amazing season last year. He’s been one of the best goalies we’ve had in a while. I knew I had to step up big time.”
As a freshman last year, Bordeaux — the lone Pioneer Valley Regional School student playing on the Greenfield cooperative program — saw time in four games, though all were during mop up time with the game in hand.
His first career start came in the opener this season against Chicopee. Going into the game, Bordeaux had his doubts about how he would play, but after seeing a few pucks come his way he quickly realized he belonged at this level.
He recorded 26 saves in a 4-2 win, a performance that gave him a great deal of confidence going into the remainder of the season.
“I got into the rink and I just felt those butterflies in my stomach,” Bordeaux recalled. “Chicopee wasn’t a bad team last season and there still not a bad team this year. We only had one practice before [that game] so I was really nervous but once I got on the ice and the guys were just playing solid in front of me, I felt like I was in the right place. I was in a good state of mind and I played pretty well.”
Opposing players didn’t have much luck getting the puck past Bordeaux this season. The sophomore finished with a 1.71 goals against average in 11 games. He amassed 211 total saves for a .917 save percentage.
For a young goalie, confidence is key, and Bordeaux’s confidence continued to rise as the season went on. He recorded his first shutout in the final game of the season against Ludlow.
“Before I used to think a senior would come in on a breakaway and score every time,” Bordeaux said. “As I’ve gone on, I’ve realized I play just as well as them so I can play with them and make saves on them.”
That confidence began to build last season. While he didn’t make a start, he came up with 29 saves in those late-game relief stints.
Between that and learning behind Drew, he felt more than prepared going into this season.
“Last season, Riley [Drew] did his best to get me settled in,” Bordeaux said. “I really felt like last season when I did get to play, I felt really good. Our team has been really solid in front of me and there’s been nothing but support from them so I’m feeling good.”
During an offseason like no other, one in which the Green Wave barely had any practice time before playing their first game, getting reps on other teams was huge for Bordeaux’s development.
He played for the Western Mass. Vipers this fall, gaining experience against solid competition to prepare for what it would be like facing high school varsity teams on a night-to-night basis. Many other Greenfield players skated for the Vipers as well, something that allowed the chemistry to grow among the teammates.
“It was a very weird offseason,” Bordeaux said. “I play with the Vipers, a lot of our team plays there. It was helpful because I got used to the big boys shots. That was the most helpful for me.”
While the primary responsibility of a goalie is to stop the puck from going into the net, another underrated part is communication with teammates.
Being the last line of defense, the goalie must communicate with the defensemen in front of them, keeping them aware of what’s happening throughout the ice.
“I’ve always been pretty vocal with my defense,” Bordeaux said. “I yell and they listen. It’s more like that. They’re really good about listening to me, they know if I’m yelling that something is happening and they have to help out.”
Bordeaux will return as the Green Wave goalie next season. The hope is that state tournaments will return, the goal will be to get Greenfield back in that title game. With a now experienced Bordeaux in goal, along with a talented core in front of him, doing so is certainly within the realm of possibility.
“We’re going to have to fill some big shoes losing five seniors who are very good,” Bordeaux said. “We’ll have to step up on defense. I can help out but we’re going to need guys to step up next year.”