Marceau’s fast start puts him among state’s leading scorers

ALPENA - Through the first quarter of the high school hockey season, there have been few players hotter than Alpena’s Anden Marceau.

In fact, just two players can make the argument that they’ve been better than Marceau to start the season. The Wildcat junior currently ranks third in the state in points with 25, behind only Southgate Anderson’s Ashton Petrarca (33) and Canton’s Tyler Husted (28).

Marceau is in his third season as a member of the Alpena varsity hockey team and has always showcased the talent he has to not only put pucks in the net, but make players around him better with his ability to create.

So far through eight games, Marceau has taken his play to a new level. He has registered a point in all eight games and has scored 11 goals and dished out 14 helpers.

Marceau’s 11 goals have him tied for eighth in the state and his 14 assists are tied for fifth most in the state.

"I've started pretty fast this year and a lot of credit to coach (Ben) Henry on helping me (lower) the penalties, preaching the importance of playing with my linemates and trusting me to put pucks in the net," Marceau said. "It feels great to be mentioned among the top players in the state because there are a lot of good players in the state of Michigan."

His talent was on full display over the weekend when the Wildcats split a pair of games at the annual Showcase in Gaylord, where many of the top teams from around the state come to play each year.

In a win over Allen Park on Friday, Marceau scored a pair of goals and followed that performance up with a goal and two assists on Saturday in a 5-3 loss to Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, having a hand in each of Alpena’s three goals.

“I always told Anden to do the little things and the big things like scoring points will come. His work ethic shows, he's always the first one on the ice and last one to leave. He plays a full game and as a player he has gone a long way in becoming a more complete player and it's exciting to watch him," Henry said. "Overall he's a great leader on and off the ice. The shooting and skating is what separates him from anyone else. I'm hoping he doesn't slow down and keeps up his great play because he's obviously going to be a big part of our success."

What makes Marceau’s start to the season even more impressive is the fact that the Wildcats have been tested against worthy opponents.

Of the six teams Alpena has faced off against so far this year, three have winning records, two have already won seven games and Gaylord entered with a winning record before the Wildcats earned a weekend sweep over their Big North Conference foe; a weekend in which Marceau tallied eight points over the two BNC games to start conference play with a pair of goals and six assists.

When Marceau has the puck on his stick, good things tend to happen for the Wildcats.

Marceau has been a master of taking the puck behind the opponents net, waiting for the play to set up before coming around to what has become known as “Anden’s alley” near the circle in the offensive zone where Marceau takes his pick of either firing off a shot or setting up his teammates to create scoring opportunities.

“Every time I come out of the corner, I always look to make a play and it seems like every time the defense pinches low and I come around and I find a spot," Marceau said. "I've been working on that for the past three years and it's paying off this season."

Marceau’s unselfishness has gone a long way to helping him be among the top three point-getters in the state. It’s no doubt that this recognition wouldn’t be possible without the steady play from his teammates and Marceau is the first to credit his teammates as being crucial for his success.

“We have a lot of upperclassmen that are stepping up this year and I've been working really well with my linemates this year in practice and in games," Marceau said. "All of the younger kids are working good too and overall our team has been playing well."

Marceau’s next chance to add to his point total will be in a crucial early season BNC matchup against rival Traverse City Central on Saturday at Howe Arena in Traverse City.