Northern Highlands ice hockey engrained in Beswick family DNA – NJ.com

The Beswick family name was already engrained in the programs history.

After all, coach Jason Beswick has been part of Northern Highlands ice hockey for nearly 2 decades and this year his only son, Brent, joined the fray as a freshman forward.

But even the father-son connection, one that has seen Northern Highlands raise its second ever NJSIAA state championship, runs so much further than that.

They got me there when they asked me about my son in the video over there, Beswick said following the Highlanders championship win. I met my wife through Highlands hockey. I was coaching Highlands, and she was a figure skating coach. Brents my only son, and when he was born, Highlands hockey was life.

We dont actually live in the towns- he chose to go to Highlands. Theres no words to describe it. Hes an incredible kid. When he puts on the Highlands jersey, he plays extra special and I couldnt be more proud of him, as well as all of the boys.

Brents obviously my only son, but I consider all of these guys my kids, for sure.

It was also cinematic to a point that Brent scored the final goal of the game to officially seal the win.

Middletown North had pulled its goalie to gain an extra attacker in an attempt to equalize the game. Brent, after getting the puck in the neutral zone, sent it into the back of the net and got the Northern Highlands celebration started early.

Its really great, the younger Beswick said. Honestly, I grew up watching Highlands every year, hoping to get a state championship. It was great to finally get one especially with him.

Middletown North, all credit to them. Theyre a great team and I think we just knew how theres a lot of firepower and offense. To win this game, we had to play solid defense and we knew we had really good forwards. So we knew when our chances come wed bury them.

While the father and son did embrace on the ice, it was something that the younger Beswick didnt do that may stick most with the duo.

Walking in the bowels of the Prudential Center towards the locker room, Jason was greeted with a classic Gatorade bath by his team in celebration.

Brent wasnt the one holding the jug but he has a feeling he may take the brunt of the responsibility,

Its pretty funny to be honest with you, Brent said. Hell probably blame me, because why not?

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Northern Highlands ice hockey engrained in Beswick family DNA - NJ.com