Davis grows up on ice to become area's best

The Canfield senior helped the Cardinals win their first tournament game.
& lt;a href=mailto:richesson@vindy.com & gt;By BRIAN RICHESSON & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- Andy Davis' ice hockey career began in the wee hours of dark, cold weekend mornings in Mill Creek Park, on a snow-covered outdoor rink. He was 7 years old. He could hardly see the puck, and he could hardly understand the game.
As a player for the Canfield High varsity team, he couldn't have seen the puck any better. He conquered the game's complexities.
For his maturity, versatility and contribution in leading the Cardinals to unprecedented heights, Davis, a senior captain, was named The Vindicator's ice hockey player of the year.
All-around talent
"He's our most versatile player. He handled all aspects of the game," said Canfield coach Joe Villano, who labeled Davis "the best pure skater" ever to lace up for the Cardinals' club or varsity teams.
Davis' all-around ability enabled him to fore-check and battle for puck control in the corners; it enabled him to score 12 goals and record a team-high 29 assists.
It also enabled Villano to move Davis, usually a forward, to defense midway through the season.
"He would stay right in the hip pocket of [the opponent's] best skater and deny him the puck," Villano said. "We were a better team because of his versatility and skating ability."
Canfield (8-14-1), the Valley's only OHSAA-affiliated program, showed its growth by winning its first tournament game.
"Looking up at the scoreboard and realizing we had just won our first tournament game, it was a shock," Davis said. "It wasn't comprehendible at the time. It took a while for that to sink in."
The Cardinals defeated Euclid 6-4 at the Kent State Ice Arena before bowing to top-seeded Shaker Heights in the next round.
"We've made tremendous strides," Davis said. "This year we managed to get out of the first round of the playoffs. That's probably the biggest accomplishment of the year because it lets everybody know that Canfield's on the map."
Attacking line
Davis flourished this season with the help of his teammates, notably senior Sam Crowe (28 goals, 12 assists) and junior Mike Vrable (28 goals, 17 assists), who were Canfield's co-offensive MVPs.
"Andy set the team record for assists this year because of those guys' ability," Villano said. "He would put it on their sticks, and they'd finish it. He gave my scorers the opportunity to do what they do best."
Davis' hockey career doesn't appear to be over just yet. He's been accepted to Miami University, where he hopes to play for the RedHawks' club team.
"He's got the heart, brains and skating ability to do it," Villano said of Davis, who plans to major in political science or business and eventually attend law school.
& lt;a href=mailto:richesson@vindy.com & gt;richesson@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;