Parting shot

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Drew Bavaro skated around the ice and maneuvered past defenders at the Tampa Bay Times Forum with ease.

Gaining speed and momentum with each stride, the then 8-year-old shuffled his stick back and forth across the ice. With only the goalkeeper standing between him and his third goal of the period, Bavaro quickly slapped a shot into the corner of the net.

With his older brother, Vito, looking on, the younger Bavaro hoisted his stick in the air as the ThunderBug, the Tampa Bay Lightning mascot, lifted him up in celebration.

Bavaro scored three goals in the game, one more than his brother. At that point, Bavaro realized a sport that had initially been all fun and games could eventually pave the way for his future.

Turning to his brother for inspiration, the now 14-year-old Gulf Coast Flames Bantam AA defender put his time and effort into training and traveling the East Coast in search of competition.

In doing so, Bavaro began to make a name for himself and garner the attention of prep school coaches across the Northeast.

Bavaro’s hard work paid off last month when he received a scholarship to attend Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, N.H.

“I was surprised,” Bavaro says. “It was a lot of waiting, but I was really excited. I didn’t know what to say. I just kept thinking, ‘Is this really happening?’”

Bavaro moved into his new boarding school, where he began playing hockey, soccer and lacrosse last week.

Although Bavaro understands being away from home for his freshman year of high school will be an entirely new experience, he’s eager for the opportunity to play hockey in a new environment.

Bavaro is already somewhat familiar with the process, having watched his brother earn a scholarship to Brooks School, in North Andover, Mass., two years ago. Through the process, the younger Bavaro gained valuable insight and learned what it takes to compete at that level.

“He always pushes me to my limits,” Bavaro says. “Even when he wasn’t around, I always tried to do what he did; and now it’s my turn.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].