Doubly delightful season for Renner
Andrea Renner had quite a memorable 2012-2013 hockey season — a double delight, really.
For starters, Renner skated for the Chicago Young Americans (CYA) U14 girls team that won the state championship, sweeping the Chicago Fury in the best-of-three series, winning both games by shutout. Renner even tallied the game-winner in game two on March 9, on a slapshot.
CYA is now in the regional tournament this weekend in Wisconsin, where it will battle the St. Louis Lady Blues and the Madison Capitols.
Renner also was the assistant captain, though only a freshman, for the co-op Barrington Fillies, comprised of players from South Elgin, Prospect, Lake Zurich, Wauconda, Barrington and her own school, St. Viator.
“The CYA season was very exciting,” said Renner, in her second CYA season. “The reason I also play for Barrington is to get to play with players from different schools, and it’s been a great experience. It’s been amazing. Everyone is so nice; there’s no drama.”
Renner, 14, who lives in Lake Barrington, is a left-handed shooting left wing. She has No. 8 on the back of her Fillies’ uniform, though she could be the team’s No. 1 skater on the speed scale. Her eye-popping offense propelled her to the No. 2 spot among all Metro Girls skaters. She netted 25 goals, 16 assists in 14 league games — and her 41 points was only 1 behind the league-leader, teammate Alexis Boydston, a senior.
“We did well this season,” Renner said of the Fillies. “I had really supportive teammates all season long.”
No teammate will motivate Renner more than her brother, Robert, 17, who skipped his junior hockey season for St. Viator to instead focus on his golf game. He was a freshman and sophomore for the Lions’ varsity hockey team the previous two seasons, including the school’s state runner-up finish in 2012, and has also excelled for the golf team.
“He’s the main reason, the person who inspired me to play hockey,” Andrea said. “He always pushed me to my limits, wanting to make me better. He really tried to make me better and I really do look up to him. He’s my main role model, who I want to be like and play like, because what he brings to the game is just so amazing.
“He motivates me to want to do so much more in the game and bring so much more.”
Renner had 3 power-play, 4 short-handed and 3 game-winning goals in Metro Girls play, plus a 6-point game (3 goals, 3 assists) in a 13-1 win over Leyden. She also had a 4-goal game against New Trier Silver and a 4-assist game against Warren.
“Playing for Barrington is not the easiest thing to do because I’m playing against girls who are 17- and 18 years-old, and are a lot bigger (than me). So, I know I have to bear down on my stick, make harder passes and harder shots, and go harder to the net.
“(Playing for both teams) makes me stronger because I’m playing against older competitors.”
So what’s been the one memorable highlight from a season filled with memorable moments?
“Just playing with my teammates, because they’ve all been so nice,” Renner said.
Postseason update: The boys state tournament is down to eight teams, including the top five seeds: Glenbrook North, New Trier Green, Sandburg, Loyola Gold and Providence Catholic. Naperville North (No. 11) is the lowest seed to reach the elite eight after upsetting Fenwick 3-2. The state championship game (Red Division) will be played Sunday, March 24, at the United Center. Game time is 6 p.m.