Messalonskee’s Owen Kirk led the state with 44 goals and 68 points this season. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Owen Kirk was eager for his senior season to begin. He was especially motivated to bounce back from the 2024 Class B North quarterfinals, when top-seeded Messalonskee was upset by eighth-seeded Old Town/Orono.

Opponents were put on notice early in the 2024-25 season when Kirk recorded 25 points (15 goals and 10 assists) in his first six contests — including four points against defending Class A champion Lewiston in the opening game.

“I play club hockey (with the Casco Bay 18U team) in the fall, but I think I really just had a chip on my shoulder from last year’s loss in the quarterfinal,” Kirk said. “So, especially with my senior season, I really wanted to give it my all.”

The fast start was the beginning of a prolific campaign. Kirk finished with 44 goals and 24 assists in 20 games, the most points among the state’s boys hockey players. In the postseason, Kirk led the Eagles to the Class B North title game.

Kirk’s production makes him the 2024-25 Varsity Maine Boys Hockey Player of the Year.

“He has a knack (for) scoring goals,” Messalonskee coach Dennis Martin said. “And he just did the hard work and just (played) very smart out there.”

Kirk finished his career with 108 goals and 81 assists in 74 games.

Messalonskee’s Owen Kirk celebrates after scoring a goal against Cony this season. Kirk finished his career with 108 goals and 81 assists in 74 games. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

“At the beginning of the year, (100 goals) seemed very unlikely because, like with my previous seasons, I didn’t really feel like I was scoring a lot,” Kirk said of reaching 100 goals. “So, at the beginning of the year, I thought that it was going to be out of reach. Then, as we kept moving forward and I kept just … shooting the puck on net — it became more of a reality, but I tried not to focus on it too much.”

Kirk gave credit to his teammates, particularly his linemates, Tatum Doucette and Christian Salvadori. Kirk said Tatum is a workhorse and Salvadori has an excellent hockey IQ.

“The outcome of my success was all through my teammates,” Kirk said. “I mean, we all connect with each other pretty well. And when you’re really gelling together, it’s easier to find each other, put the puck in the back of the net and get assists. So I feel like that led to my success along with the team.”

Kirk came through when the team needed him most. Martin said that, to him, Kirk’s most memorable moment came in the regional semifinals against the Cony co-op. Kirk tallied three points, including an assist that gave the Eagles a 4-3 lead. They advanced with a 5-3 victory.

“(They) tied it up late and the faceoff right after, Owen got the puck and made a nice pass to Christian to walk in and give us a lead, 4-3, like (21) seconds later,” Martin said. “… We always worked harder when adversity came; (Owen) rose up to the challenge all the time.”

The Eagles then fell 3-1 to the John Bapst co-op in the regional final, but that didn’t tarnish the success they achieved.

“I thought this was one of my favorite seasons,” Kirk said. “The group of guys was really amazing. Yes, we came up short. But, I mean, I feel like we created a lot more memories as a team this year. We just really got along — and same with my other years — but I feel like this one’s just more special because it was my senior year, and we had a really successful year.”

Kirk also was able to play on the same team as his younger brother, Nathan, who was the Eagles’ starting goalie this season.

Kirk plans to play NCAA Division II lacrosse at Franklin Pierce in Rindge, New Hampshire. While his competitive hockey days are over, he looks forward to returning to the ice at some point.

“I plan on joining the men’s league or something, just because I want to keep playing hockey,” Kirk said.