TJ’s Hunter Fairman drafted by NAHL’s Tomahawks

By RAY FISHER

Trib Total Media

Thomas Jefferson coach John Zeiler has inherited a team that finished 17-2-1 and advanced to the PIHL Class AA semifinals in 2020-21.

One player he will be without and surely miss is Hunter Fairman, the team’s leading scorer as a senior forward last season.

Fairman, 18, was selected by the Johnstown Tomahawks in the NAHL Entry Draft, which took place July 14. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound TJ grad was chosen in the 16th round.

“I was a little surprised to be drafted,” Fairman said, “but I have worked hard for so long and now have a chance to go show what I can do. It’s exciting to be drafted by an NAHL team, given the fact that there are so many players out there like me trying to take their game to the next level.

“This was for sure one of my dreams in my hockey career, to be given a chance to play at the junior level and show what I’ve got.”

Each NAHL team chose players largely based upon scouting throughout the season to fill the team’s needs.

“I’m happy that Hunter is going to get the opportunity to play Tier II Junior A hockey,” said Bill Crousey, TJ’s longtime coach who retired following the 2020-21 season. “It’s an opportunity many kids playing AAA hockey hope to get.

“I hope Hunter has a strong camp tryout and makes the team. It will be difficult, but I believe he has the ability to play at that level.”

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