Kyle Christine has many fond memories from his years playing hockey at Skaneateles, but his most memorable came in the 2009 Section III, Division II playoffs. It took Skaneateles and Rome Free Academy four overtimes to decide a winner - Christine's goal propelled the Lakers into the sectional semifinals.

“We were all dead from playing so long,” Christine said. “I just lost all control after putting it in the back of the net. The next thing I knew I was in the bottom of the pile. It was a really great feeling, one that I will never forget. It will be my best memory of playing hockey.”

Christine finished the season with 20 goals and nine assists, but it was his leadership that earned him The Citizen's player of the year honor.

“Building up for the year I knew it was my last season playing competitive high school hockey, truly my last hurrah with hockey altogether,” Christine said. “I wanted to make it my best so I worked really hard in the offseason and I think it paid off. I am happy to have had such a good season to end on, I'm pretty happy with the way I went out.”

Despite the fact that Skaneateles did not capture a sectional title, Christine said the season was a success.

“We started off with high hopes coming off of a sectional championship,” Christine said. “We had a really good season, we lost to the state champs. There are no regrets from that.”

Lacrosse is the sport that Christine will be focusing his efforts on now, with hopes of playing in college as well, but his hockey memories will always follow him.

“I started playing in Plattsburgh when I was younger,” Christine said. “I also played in Montana, Florida and then in Skaneateles. We moved around a lot. My mom's brothers were hockey players and my parents got me into it.”

And much to his surprise, hockey transformed into his favorite sport.

“The very first time I ever played hockey I hated it,” Christine said. “I came off the ice that first time and never wanted to go back but my mom was pretty upset that she had just spent so much money buying all the expensive gear so I decided to stick with it a little longer. Then it became my favorite sport, my mom still hangs that over my head.”

As for Christine leaving the game behind, he said that it was difficult to know that it was over but the day after their loss to New Hartford, he was already back in the gym for lacrosse.

“Life goes on, I guess,” he said.