Brick Hockey Player Headed To World Maccabiah Games

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township hockey player has been chosen to represent the United States at this summer's Maccabiah Games in Israel.

Jake Lakatos, a Brick Township High School senior who played for the Dragons' hockey team for the last three years and plays for the Philadelphia Junior Flyers Elite team in the Eastern Hockey League, has been named to the Team USA ice hockey roster.

The World Maccabiah Games, "the Jewish Olympics" as they are often called, are the world’s largest Jewish athletic competition in the tradition and values of Maccabi, emphasizing the centrality of the State of Israel in the life of the Jewish people, according to the Maccabiah website.

"There is no greater honor than to be able to play with USA proudly emblazoned across the chest of my jersey," Lakatos said on a fundraising page set up to help defray costs of his participation.

"The principal mission of the Maccabiah is to facilitate a worldwide gathering of young Jewish athletes in Israel, staging the highest possible levels of sports competitions, and strengthening their connection to the State of Israel and the Jewish people," the website said.

The games includes four separate competitions: Open, Junior, Masters, and Paralympics. Junior games are open to any qualifying athlete aged 15-18.

Lakatos had a .917 save percentage in net for the Dragons in 2016 with 580 saves and a 3.25 goals-against average, according to the Asbury Park Press. This hockey season he has been playing for the Junior Flyers 19U Elite team and has 12 wins and four loses with a .927 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average with three shutouts. The Junior Flyers lead the South Conference of the Eastern Hockey League with a 30-9-1 record.

Lakatos has been playing hockey since he was 3-1/2 years old, and played for the Brick Hockey Club, the Toms River Blackhawks, New Jersey Habs, Mercer Chiefs, Jersey Shore Admirals, Jersey Penguins, New Jersey Junior Titans and Team Comcast over the course of his career.

"I am so honored to be a part of Team USA," Lakatos said. "This is an incredibly exciting time."

"Over the years, my family sacrificed continually to help make my dreams come true, and now I am finally on my way," he said.

Those wishing to donate can click here. His mother, Francine, said there is an additional fundraising site the family set up on You Caring; click here for that site.

Photo provided by Francine Lakatos