JUSTIN DECOWSKI CLASS OF '08 YEAR OF INDUCTION: 2022 During Justin Decowski's four years at Steinert, the ice hockey team was 71-28-5, which is the best four-year stretch in school history. There were two CVC championships and the only Mercer County Tournament Championship (Justin scored the first goal of the game in the finals, a 4-3 OT victory over Notre Dame). The team also qualified for the state playoffs four straight years, reaching the Final 16 his sophomore and junior seasons, and the state quarterfinals (QF) his senior year. Note that back then, ice hockey had one public bracket, by his senior year there were two and it was for the whole state, no sectional titles. So making the Final 16 and QF was the equivalent of winning a sectional title. Justin ranks second all-time at SHS in career points (202), goals (104) and assists (98). "As far as Justin, not only was he a tremendous ice hockey player but he was an even better person," said his coach Bill James. "He was a great teammate throughout his four years on the team, he was a four-year varsity letter winner and was a true leader on and off the ice." During his senior season, when he was a captain, the team was 17-7, and he led the Spartans to the State QF when they upset the No. 1 public school and No. 1 seeded Fair Lawn. The score was 9-7 as Justin scored three goals (two shorthanded) and had four assists for seven points in the game. ”It was an amazing performance as he took over the game with his two linemates, Matt Redden and Jonathan Firth, they combined for nine goals and eight assists,” James said. Justin led the state in goals (52) and points (95), which is still the single greatest individual season in school, CVC and Mercer County history. He combined with Matt (43G, 42A, 85 PTS) and Jonathan (25G, 49A, 74 PTS) for a total of 120 goals and 134 assists for 254 points, as the most prolific line in a single season in school and CVC history. Justin was All-CVC, All-Mercer, All-Area, First Team All-State Public Schools and Third Team All-State (First Team was all parochial players and Second Team had only one public school player). "There are many great memories of Justin as a player, a person and a leader," James said. ”However, what sticks out to me was how humble Justin always was as a young man. It was a pleasure coaching Justin all four years.” A married father of two, he's a Corporal with the Delaware State Police. "My current detail is on Patrol and on the Maritime Unit," he said. With his wife Shannon, he has a 5-year-old son, Emerson, and a 2-year-old daughter, Kora. RETURN TO THE HALL OF FAME MEMBERS PAGE