The old and somewhat overused adage holds that defense wins championships. 

With six of Lewiston’s nine defensemen being underclassmen, the Blue Devils knew the blueliners would have to develop quickly if they wanted to reach their ultimate goal of winning the program’s 21st state title. 

Every defensive unit needs a leader, and as the only senior on the blue line, that role belongs to Joey Frechette. Through his four years with the Blue Devils, the assistant captain has continued his development on and off the ice. 

“Joey’s worked really hard on his physical aspects of the game and the mental aspects of the game,” Lewiston coach Jamie Belleau said. “He’s a great kid. He really wants his team to succeed. Like a lot of teenagers, sometimes his emotions get the best of him, but he’s been in check for 95 percent of the time. I’m happy for him. He’s certainly a leader back there. He’s one of our most physical, strongest defensemen and he logs a lot of ice time. He has a lot of responsibility and he’s handled it well.” 

Frechette’s responsibilities have only grown since junior defenseman Jonathan Sturgis went down with an injury toward the latter part of the season. As a result, Frechette and junior Brady Cusson are the only upperclassmen on the blue line. Frechette has accepted his role as a leader for the younger defensemen. 

“I think it’s an expectation from my coach, but I think I should be leading by example because I’ve been through this and I’m a senior,” Frechette said. “That’s what my coach expects as a senior.” 

Frechette, the oldest member of the defense, is paired on the blue line with one of the youngest in freshman Ryan Bosse. Those two serve as the team’s starting defensemen. Even though Frechette’s tasked with leading the defense, he looks to his younger players as much as they look to him. 

“My defensemen have been very good defensemen this year,” Frechette said. “They’ve helped me out even though they’re not close to the age that I am. They’re very skilled players and they’ve been always helping me out this year.” 

Since Frechette could skate, he was a defenseman. His ability to skate backward made him a prime choice for playing on the blue line growing up. During his time in squirts, Frechette said he could skate backward faster than most of the kids could skate forward and he’s been a defenseman ever since. 

As Frechette matured physically, he also grew mentally. The emotions of the game have gotten the better of him at times, but the coaching staff has seen that mental maturity come into focus. 

“This year he’s really trying hard to be both mentally and physically ready to play,” Belleau said. “You have to understand each of your players and from what I’ve seen since Joey’s freshman year and to this year, I honestly can say I see him trying really hard to play both strong, physical, clean but he’s working extremely hard to play a strong mental game.” 

The defense has had its share of ups and downs this season, but it has come together at the right time. The Blue Devils pitched back-to-back shutouts against Windham and Bangor to open the playoffs. It’s the first time this season Lewiston has accomplished that feat. They blanked Scarborough and Brunswick during the regular season. 

The Blue Devils allow 2.4 goals per game and have surrendered five goals in their past five games.

Frechette leads the team in scoring among defensemen with 14 points. His 11 assists are third-most on the team behind Jeromey Rancourt and Brendon Croteau, who both have 14. The other defensemen have been facilitators, as well. Bosse, Cusson, Sturgis and Cole Ouellette have combined for 16 assists. 

“He’s a big, strong kid that’s logged a lot of ice time,” Belleau said. “He’s out there for power plays, he’s out there short-handed, he’s out there for five-on-five so these kids watch that and it helps them adapt to the situations they’re facing.”

Frechette’s hockey background is interesting, but so is the story behind his No. 55. His grandparents were married in 1955, but the real story began with Joey’s little brother, Sam.

 Sam wore No. 5 growing up, but it wasn’t available when he went to a prospect team in Canada. Since he couldn’t have one five, he added another and wore 55, and the tradition stuck. Sam will be a freshman next year, and chances are good he’ll take his older brother’s jersey. 

Frechette wore No. 4 his freshman season, but changed to No. 55 for his sophomore season and has worn that number the past three years. Joey’s sister, Allison, who plays on the Lewiston girls’ hockey team, also wears No. 55. 

Speaking of Allison, the Frechette household already has one state title this year after the girls’ team defeated Falmouth for the program’s second state title. She played a major role during the Blue Devils’ undefeated season, scoring the game-winner in double overtime of the regional final and then scoring four goals in the state title game. 

Joey Frechette would like a state title of his own. 

“I need one, too,” Frechette said. “I’d like to have one just to say that we both have one.”

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