Athletic Hall of Fame | Alumni Recognition | Alumni | Avon Old Farms

Cal Ingraham is a scorer. His ability to score goals in hockey - along with his fierce determination, extraordinary skill, and intense competitive drive - has made him a winner, too. His athletic career is special and his accomplishments in the game are amazing.

In 1989, Cal led the Avon hockey team in goals scored (tied with Steve Flomenhoft) and helped the team earn a 22-3 record, a Founders League Championship, a Christmas Classic title, and Avon's first, Division I New England Hockey Championship. In his senior year at Avon, he was named Most Valuable Player of the Christmas Classic (8 goals in the tournament), shared Most Valuable Player honors for the season with fellow captain Dave Roberts, and had 2 goals and 6 assists in the New England Championship game, leading Avon to a 11-5 victory over Cushing Academy.

After Avon, Cal's excellence continued at the University of Maine and his performance in 1993 resulted in a historic season both for him and for the Black Bears. Cal led the nation in goals scored - his 46 goals in just 45 games was tops in all of collegiate hockey. He collected 85 total points that season and his prolific performance earned him All-American honors and helped the team to a NCAA Division I National Championship. With 187 career points (compiled in just three seasons), Cal currently ranks 6th on Maine's list of all-time leading scorers.

After his brilliant career at the University of Maine, Cal played professionally for seven seasons. He led his team in scoring all three years while playing for the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks and he earned league, all-star recognition in 1995-96 and 1997-98. From 1998-2002, he played for the Idaho Steelheads in the WCHL where he became the only player to total three, consecutive seasons with 50 or more goals. He is the Steelheads' all-time leading scorer, was a league all-star in 1998-99 and again in 2000-01, and he had his jersey retired by the team in 2002.

While at Avon Old Farms, Bill Norcross distinguished himself as an elite, three-sport athlete. He started for the football, basketball, and baseball teams as a junior and was voted captain of each sport his senior year. In football, his rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism earned him a scholarship to play tight-end at national powerhouse, Boston College. As a senior on the basketball team, he was the team's leading scorer (averaging 15.7 points per game) and rebounder (averaging more than 11 per game), and garnered All-Tri-State league honors. In baseball, he earned Most Valuable Player honors by leading the team in pitching victories, striking out 51 batters in just 47 innings pitched, and also serving as the team's most productive hitter. In the spring of 1989, he led the team in batting average (.458), hits, and RBI. He also struck out just one time in over 50 at-bats. On graduation day in 1989, Bill was awarded the prestigious George A. Murray Cup, given to the best athlete in the school.

Bill's extraordinary athletic achievements at Avon set the tone for an impressive collegiate and professional career. He played football for Boston College from 1989-1994, participating in the Hall of Fame Bowl and the Carquest Bowl for the Eagles. He also played baseball at Boston College. In 1993, the Eagles won the Beanpot Championship and Bill was named to the All-Tournament Team. After college, Bill continued to play baseball, signing a professional contract with the Texas Rangers organization in the Texas-Louisiana League in 1995. He was a league all-star in 1996 and continued to play professional baseball until 1999.

Upon retirement from professional baseball, Bill channeled his impressive sports knowledge and passion into coaching and scouting. In 2005, Bill was honored as the Boston Globe Massachusetts Baseball Coach of the Year after leading St. Mary's in his hometown of Lynn, MA to a 23-1 season record. He moved on to scouting in 2005 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and, in 2009, is employed by the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau.

Four Americans in the history of the National Hockey League have won the Conn Smyth Trophy, awarded to the Most Valuable Player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and two of them came to Avon OldFarms: Brian Leetch ’86 of the New York Rangers in 1994 and Jonathan Quick ’05 of the Los Angeles Kings

Jonathan Quick ’05 Four Americans in the history of the National Hockey League have won the Conn Smyth Trophy, awarded to the Most Valuable Player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and two of them came to Avon Old Farms: Brian Leetch ’86 of the New York Rangers in 1994 and Jonathan Quick ’05 of the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. Jonathan has been a “difference maker” at every level of hockey and on every team where he is minding the net. “Quickie” led Avon Old Farms to two straight Division One New England Prep School Championships during his junior and senior seasons (2004 and 2005) as well as Avon’s two best back-to-back seasons in its history with a combined record of 52-3. Jonathan posted a remarkable nine shutouts during his senior year at Avon in 2005.

Following his graduation from Avon Old Farms, Jonathan competed for the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he led the Minutemen to their first NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship appearance. In the first tournament game, Jonathan shut out Clarkson University, stopping all 33 shots he faced. He continues to hold many records in UMass Amherst hockey history. A two-time Olympian, Jonathan competed for the USA in 2010 in Vancouver (Silver medal) and 2014 in Sochi where he was the starting goalie.

Jonathan’s achievements with the Los Angeles Kings speak volumes. In 2012, he was awarded the covetedConn Smyth Trophy following the Kings first Stanley Cup victory over the New Jersey Devils. In the playoffs, he posted a 16-4 record with a 1.41 GAA, a 0.946 save percentage, and 3 shutouts. Then, in2014, Jonathan won his second career Stanley Cup when LA defeated the New York Rangers. He had two playoff shutouts, including one in Game 3 of the Finals, and a save average of 0.911. In that year, Jonathan became the all-time leader in shutouts for the LA Kings and was awarded, separately, the William M.Jennings Trophy presented to the goalkeeper for the NHL team “with the fewest goals scored against it.”It is a given that in any game that involves an outstanding goalie, players in front of that goalie play better and the team has its best chance to win. This is why, wherever Jonathan Quick has played, his teams win and championships result.

Jeff Hamilton enrolled at Avon as a freshman coming from Englewood, Ohio. While at Avon, Jeff earned recognition in soccer and baseball, but it was his accomplishments as a hockey player that provided the foundation for a distinguished career on the ice.

Avon Coach John Gardner comments, “Jeff improved so much from his sophomore to his senior year as a hockey player. Through intense dedication, he matured into a special athlete. His development is an example of what is possible when young players are committed.” Jeff enjoyed a tremendous career at Avon on the ice, highlighted by his 52 points (in just 24 games) during his senior year.

After Avon, Jeff enrolled at Yale University and became one of the college game’s best players. In his first year at Yale, he collected 23 points and was elected to the ECAC All-Rookie Team. During his sophomore year, he scored 47 points and was an All-Conference and All-American selection. In his last two years at Yale, Jeff scored 104 points, was a two-time Hobey Baker finalist, and again was recognized with All-Conference and All-American honors. Jeff finished his college hockey career as Yale’s all-time points leader. He was also named to ECAC Hockey’s All-Decade first-team. During his career at Yale, Hamilton netted 80 goals and added 93 assists, for 173 points in 127 games.

After Yale, Jeff enjoyed a successful professional hockey career. He played in the NHL, the AHL, and in the professional hockey leagues of Europe.

Nick Bonino '07 played varsity hockey at Avon Old Farms under Coach John Gardner, and we had the good fortune of witnessing the perfect definition of a "winner" and a champion. In his senior year, Bonino was a captain and a force on a New England Championship team. From Avon, Nick went on to play for Boston University, during which he helped lead the team to a NCAA National Championship. Nick was always a "difference maker." Case in point: in Boston University's NCAA championship game vs. Miami of Ohio, Nick produced an assist and a goal in the final minute of regulation play, making the impossible possible, and leading to a dramatic "come from behind" victory for BU. A similar story continues with Nick's professional career in the National Hockey League. Nick competed impressively for the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks before joining the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016. It was there that he provided the catalyst on an offensive line that drove the Penguins to the playoffs and ultimately a coveted Stanley Cup. In typical Nick Bonino fashion, he scored the winning goal against the San Jose Sharks in game one of the Stanley Cup finals. In the summer of 2016, Bonino remembered his roots, and when it was his turn to have a day with the famous Cup, he brought it to Avon Old Farms to share it with his community.

Although James Patten played football and hockey while at Avon, lacrosse was his passion. He played three years on the varsity team, and was elected captain for the 1988 season. In his senior year, he was selected as First Team All-league and was named a Western New England All-Star. He was also voted to play in the East/West All-Star game in 1988, which is reserved for the top prep-school players in New England.

After Avon, James enrolled at Hobart College and contributed significantly to their tradition of excellence in lacrosse. In fact, James was a leader in the program for four years and helped Hobart earn three National Championship titles (1989, 1990, 1991). While at Hobart, James was selected as an All-American in 1991 and 1992. In 1992, he collected more impressive honors: he was recognized as the NCAA Midfielder of the Year, Hobart College’s Athlete of the Year, and he was selected to play in the prestigious North/South All-Star game, earning the game’s Most Valuable Player Award.

In that same year, he was also honored with the William H. Dobbin Award at Hobart, which is reserved for the player who “through his contributions to the team best reflects the skills of Hobart Hall-of-Famer Bill Dobbin.” Put simply, James Patten achieved the highest levels of success for a college lacrosse player.

James’s accomplishments in lacrosse did not end after graduation. He was drafted by the New York Saints organization of Major League Lacrosse in 1993, but he did not sign, instead choosing to pursue a career as a college coach. That same year, he won the Patriot League Coach of the Year honors for his efforts at Colgate University. In 1994, James returned to playing; he competed for Team England in the World Games.

Because of the considerable distinction he has earned as a lacrosse player and coach, Avon is proud to recognize James Patten ’88 in the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Hockey is a family obsession in the Roberts family. David grew up the son of a college coach and former NHL player, Doug Roberts. Doug was an All-American at Michigan State University, before going on to play professionally for 14 seasons. David's uncle, Gordie Roberts, played professionally for 22 years and was the first American to play 1,000 games in the NHL. While David was born into a family with an established tradition of hockey achievement, he left his own legacy of excellence everywhere he played the sport. In high school, he was captain of Avon's first, New England Championship team in 1989; in college, he was an All-American at the University of Michigan; and after college, he was a United States Olympian before playing professionally in the NHL.

Compiling 62 points in just 25 games, David was the leading scorer on Avon's championship team in 1989 and he shared Most Valuable Player honors for the season with fellow captain Cal Ingraham. He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues after Avon, but accepted a scholarship to play at the University of Michigan before beginning his professional career. David's brilliance on the ice continued at the University of Michigan, as he led the team in scoring as a freshman, was named to the All-Rookie Team, and was recognized as the Rookie of the Year in the conference. His success continued over his collegiate career and he went on to lead his team in scoring for three seasons, make the All-Conference team, and twice lead his Michigan Wolverines to the Frozen Four.

David's talent and determination on the ice resulted in an opportunity to compete in the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Later that year, David signed an NHL contract with the St. Louis Blues and played in the NHL from 1994-1998, first with St. Louis, then with Edmonton, Vancouver, and Dallas. He continued to play professionally both in the United States and Europe until he retired in 2004-05.

While visiting prep schools as an eighth grader, 5-foot-5 inch, 115-pound, Chris Higgins walked into Coach John Gardner’s office and was discouraged from playing varsity hockey at Avon Old Farms. Coach Gardner knew that he had a tremendously skilled athlete but feared that Chris might get injured because he had not yet filled out into the six foot, 190 pound athlete that would become one of the most dominant all-around athletes in prep school athletics over the next four years.

In his senior year, Chris was the captain, Most Valuable Player and All New England leader of Avon’s varsity soccer team. As a member of the track team, he became one of the top javelin throwers in the Founders League. It was in hockey, however, that Chris made his mark as one of the top players to ever put on the Crimson and Navy sweater. After spending his freshman season on the junior varsity, Chris made a three-year transition and became a top NHL prospects. During this same time he was Avon’s leading scorer during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Chris led the team to two consecutive New England Championship games, and in his final prep school contest, scored the decisive overtime goal against Deerfield to capture the Division I title.

Chris then matriculated toYale University in 2001, where he spent his next two seasons. While at Yale, he was named the ECAC Co-Player of the Year, an NCAA first–team All-American, and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, the top individual award in college hockey. After his sophomore year, Chris became the first player from Yale to be selected in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens, where he remained until 2009. After short stints with the New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, and the Florida Panthers, he joined the Vancouver Canucks in 2011. While there, Chris came to within one game of winning it all as the Canucks fell to the Boston Bruins in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

Chris Hetherington is a successful leader, an amazing athlete, and an incredible competitor. He came to Avon Old Farms as an undersized 14-year-old 9th grader from North Branford, Connecticut. While at Avon, Chris distinguished himself as a scholar, a leader in the community, and as a phenomenal athlete. While Chris is a uniquely gifted athlete, it is his relentless work ethic and intense competitive spirit which has earned him athletic achievements that few people ever attain.

While at Avon Old Farms, Chris competed in varsity football, hockey, baseball, and golf (his 9th grade spring term). Chris enjoyed many accomplishments at Avon, including being a leader on the undefeated football team his senior year (8-0), captaining the baseball team in 1991, and participating in varsity hockey for two years. Chris was recognized as the best athlete in the school his senior year, earning the prestigious George A. Murray Cup on graduation day.

After Avon, Chris enrolled at Yale University. Chris served as a team leader at Yale, and ran the offense as quarterback of the Bulldog football team. Quarterback was a new position for Chris, but his athleticism, determination, and competitive drive resulted in Chris being one of Yale’s best ever at the position. While playing for Yale, Chris attracted close attention from NFL scouts because of his size, speed, strength, intelligence, and toughness.

Chris Hetherington enjoyed a remarkable career in the NFL. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals upon graduating from Yale, and went on the play in the NFL for 11 seasons. He played for the Indianapolis Colts in 1996 and 1997 and was recognized as their Most Valuable Special Teams Player. He went on to earn the starting fullback position for the Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers during his career.