The high school ice hockey landscape has changed over the past few years to where Co-ops and Tri-ops are more common and with the blending of players from different areas comes the need for a driving force to bring all the elements together. Zach Duggan has been the point man for the Robbinsville/Allentown team when it added Jackson Memorial for the 2024-25 campaign. Besides losing 10 seniors, 58 goals and 134 points along with an All-Trentonian goaltender, the Co-op welcomed the new players from Jackson. “It was definitely different,’’ said Duggan, now a senior at Allentown High. “We welcomed the new guys and we’ve quickly become a family and we really made the adjustment quickly.’’ Certainly, Duggan has stepped to the forefront as one of the leaders on and off the ice for the new Tri-op. Coming off a breakout junior season with 31 goals and 31 assists, he is ready to embrace the captain’s role this year. “For me as a captain, it’s important to keeping everyone together and working,’’ said Duggan. “This is everyone’s team, but I’m one of the few guys that has been here and starting for four years so the biggest thing for me as a leader is keeping everyone on the same page. We don’t want any negative behavior, so I want to keep everyone positive  and working together.’’ Being a four-year player, Duggan has learned to rely on Dan Bergan, the Tri-op coach. “He keeps everyone structured and that is so big because in high school it’s easy to lose that very easily,’’ said Duggan. “He loves every single one of us and playing for a coach like that is the best. He is doing whatever it takes all day very day to make us better.’’ Duggan is a player who has gotten better every year and when R/A/JM opened the season against Notre Dame and Duggan scored on a power play goal it was his 100th career point. The Tri-op is off to a 5-2 start and carries a four-game winning streak into its next game on Dec. 30 against J.P. Stevens. He now has 54 goals and 65 assists in his career and has become one of the best all-around players in the area. “It has been a joy to watch,’’ said Bergan. “When you see these kids come in so unsure of themselves and they are scared to death the first year and then little by little it comes together. By sophomore season you could tell he was going to be a stud and last year it all came together. Now he has a leadership role and he has been a great captain, not because he is always positive but he is always thinking the game.’’ Duggan’s numbers are impressive, but it’s the character and demeanor he brings to the ice that’s impressive. “I just want to do whatever I can to do to get a team win,’’ Duggan stated. Whether it’s scoring or giving the puck to a teammate whatever it takes.’’ He is still undecided about what college to attend and what level of hockey he’ll play, but one thing is certain some college is getting a class act.