Morning Sentinel
JUNIOR HOCKEY: Hockey remains in picture for Richmond's Harrington
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BY GARY HAWKINS, Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 07/03/2009

Andy Harrington is knee deep in horse manure these days and loving every second of it.

Just a few weeks removed from graduation at Richmond High School, Harrington is pursuing one of his passions -- harness racing -- at the stables of the stepfather, John Nason, in Rockingham, N.H.

Harrington isn't thinking much these days about another of his passions, ice hockey, but that will change sometime next month when he tries out for the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Working days that begin at 5:30 a.m. and last until around 7 p.m. give Harrington little chance to play hockey.

"It's hard because I'm in the racing atmosphere," Harrington said. "When the time comes it will all change."

Harrington gained a tryout with Shawinigan thanks to Glenn Carey, his former coach with the Maine Moose, a Hallowell-based team in the International Junior Hockey League.

"I know he's talented enough to do it," Carey said. "If he's in good shape and goes out and competes hard, I think it's within his grasp."

Staying in shape comes naturally to Harrington. There are 18 horses in his stepfather's stable, two of which he owns jointly with his stepbrother, Steve, and Harrington jogs seven or eight of them every day. There's washing, feeding, cleaning and myriad of other duties that go with the job, too.

"A full day here is like working out every day," Harrington said. "Lifting pails, shoveling horse manure."

Harrington played forward for his first two years with the Moose, but Carey moved him back to defense early last season and he gave the team a lift at the blue line despite the fact he's 5 feet, 7 inches and 165 pounds.

"I think his skill set is better (suited) for forward," Carey said. "He's pretty fast and he's got great vision. He can pass forehand and backhand with accuracy. And having played a year on the blue line, he learned a lot about the defensive side of the game."

Harrington was also a standout soccer player at Richmond, helping the Bobcats to four straight Western Maine Class D titles and a state championship his junior year. Twice named the Kennebec Journal Boys Soccer Player of the Year, Harrington turned down offers to play at a couple of Division III colleges.

"Soccer is just by the wayside," he said. "I got a couple of offers but it's just not my passion."

Harrington was certainly passionate when he played, an attitude that extends to many aspects of his life.

"The strongest thing about Andy is he just doesn't quit," Carey said. "He just keeps going at you. He won't stop."

Harrington, who turned 19 this month, would be one of the older players in the QMJHL, also known at the Q, a league that four years ago produced the NHL's No. 1 draft pick, Sidney Crosby.

He'll have a small window at the tryouts, just 48 hours, if he wants to preserve his NCAA eligibility this year. Carey said Pictou County, a Nova Scotia team in the Maritime Junior A league is interested in Harrington as well.

"I'm sure he's going to land somewhere," Carey said. "Whoever gets him is going to be happy with him."

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com

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