KENNEBUNK — Kennebunk defensive ace Kurt Oakman knows all the tricks an attacking forward has in his bag.
He’s used them all himself.
Not in lacrosse, where he is a backbone of a strong Rams defense.
But on the school’s hockey team, for whom he’s the leading scorer.
It’s first hand knowledge that the personable junior is able to use to great advantage.
“I think it helps me a lot,” said Oakman, “because the attack side of lacrosse and the forward side of hockey are very similar. The same with the ”˜D’ side. So I kind of have the idea for both. It’s good to see, because a lot of the stuff I can translate from one sport to the other. It’s good to play both, so you get a good idea of what the other guy is thinking.”
As often as not, a feckless forward might be wondering what he has to do to give Oakman the slip.
And, as often as not, that is easier said than done.
Given Oakman’s versatility, second year Rams coach Vinny LoBello is looking for ways to get him more involved in the transition game.
He Oakman’s make up, on the field and away from it.
“When I think of Kurt,” said LoBello, “I don’t think of him as a lacrosse player, I think of him as a person. He’s just an All American blue chip kid. I’d take 100 of him.”
At times, you might even see Oakman chucking his long pole in favor of a more conventional stick.
Whatever role LoBello has for him, Oakman said it will suit him just fine.
“I love being up,” he said, “And tt’s nice playing ”˜D’. I like the position. But anytime you have the chance to go up and get an assist or a goal, always take it.
“Whatever it takes to win. If he thinks it helps out for me to have a short stick, I’m okay with that. That’s better for the team. But if he wants me to go out there with a long stick, I’m okay with that, too.”
— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com or follow on Twitter @DanHickling.
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