Senior hockey superstar Payton Fobes was named FTHS January Athlete of the Month after some stellar performances on the ice!

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How does it feel to be athlete of the month?

– It feels pretty good. It’s the first time ever that I’ve gotten it.

What kind of responsibilities does being the captain entail?

– I have to, being the oldest and a senior, show everyone what to do and set an example.

Is there anyone who set an example for you when you were an underclassman?

– Our one senior Tom Gubitosi during my sophomore year. I was given assistant captain and he really showed me how to take the role of being a captain.

Since the season finale was yesterday, what’s next in terms of hockey?

– Right now we’re looking to go onto states and get into the state playoffs.

Do you have a favorite memory or game at Township?

– My favorite memory would be my sophomore year playing against Howell High School. It’s a big rivalry game. On that night, it was their senior night and we were able to beat them.

What was it like playing in an outdoor game?

– It was really cool playing outside. Everyone was really pumped for it because it was something different and the first time our school has ever done it.

Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?

– Not really. I just try to keep myself calm so I don’t psyche myself out before a game.

What’s your favorite aspect of hockey in general?

– Being with all my friends and being together with the team.

You score a lot of goals. Do you have a favorite celebration?

– This year I’ve been just jumping into the boards right after the goal.

There’s a fan account [for you]. How did that happen?

– One day, I didn’t even know that it was my friend, I just saw the account pop up on my Instagram. An then, an hour later, my friend asked if I had seen the account and told me that it was him. I was like, “No way!”. It was just really funny.

Does it make you more confident that you have fanfare out there?

– Yeah, I think it does. It’s really cool seeing my friends do stuff for me.

Do you have a favorite hobby outside of hockey?

– Really just relaxing at home and being with friends. That’s really it.

What has been your favorite part of senior year, in hockey or otherwise?

– A lot of my friends are showing up to games and trying to be more involved with the team.

So do you think Township has become more of a hockey school?

– I think they’re on the come up of being a hockey school.

How did you get started in hockey? What were your first steps into the game?

– My older sister went to college and they were a really big hockey school, Division 1 and everything. I watched a game and, after that, I was set on playing hockey for the rest of my life.

Congrats, Payton! Great job this season!

– Thank you!

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Here are some of Payton’s January accomplishments:

• Named First Team All-Division
• NJ.com Player of the Week 
• Scored 16 Points in the month of January (7 goals and 9 assists)

Here’s what Coach Fahy had to say about Payton:

“Payton is the team captain and has helped the team to a strong start, vying for a division championship. His performance helped the team start the month of January with a record of 3-0.”