Ex-Spartans goalie MacBurnie drawing raves at Brewster Academy

Beverly?s Bailey MacBurnie burst onto the scene two seasons ago as a sophomore, leading the St. Mary?s boys hockey team to a 22-2-3 record, a Catholic Central League Large championship and the No. 2 seed in the elite Massachusetts Division 1A Tournament. He posted a 1.38 GAA in 27 starts, earning league honors while facing close to 600 shots.MacBurnie received a merit scholarship to attend Brewster Academy, where last season he recorded shutouts of Holderness, Pingree and Winchendon (52 saves) and, in perhaps his most impressive performance of the year, turned back 62 shots in a 4-2 loss to a powerhouse Kimball Union club.?That was truly a memorable and exhausting game against a team that has numerous Division One commits,” recalled MacBurnie, who has been “playing up” in age and ability in USHL U20 tournaments. “During the most recent junior and college tournaments, I realized the strength and pace doesn?t bother me. Seeing quick, powerful shots from all angles on a regular basis has forced me to improve on crease quickness and awareness.”A rangy 6-2, MacBurnie is a classic butterfly goalie with balanced crease coverage augmented by a quick glove and blocker. He admires NHL goalies Mike Smith and Pekka Rinne and is playing for Andy Heinze?s North Shore club in this week?s 39th annual Hockey Night In Boston Summer Showcase at The Valley Forum.North stood at 2-2 heading into last night?s late game against Middlesex/Merrimack following an early afternoon 9-2 dismantling of the Mass/New England Sophomores in which MacBurnie had a clean sheet.North Shore lost its final round-robin game Monday night to South Shore/Rhode Island, 5-4, to finish 2-4 overall in round-robin. The team did not qualify for the playoffs. However, MacBurnie was selected an all-star and will play in one of two all-star games Wednesday afternoon at Haverhill Valley Forum.In June, MacBurnie took part in Stop It Goaltending?s Top 24 NCAA Performance Week in Andover with evaluations by independent scouts through The Goalie Guild.?Bailey played with tremendous energy and drive. His reactions and mechanics were graceful, and he was very sharp and strong on his edges. The biggest thing I noticed was that he needed to be more controlled and quiet in there. I also think he can learn to use his size better by being a bit more economical and conservative with his depth,” noted scout Justin Goldman. “I believe that if he can work on a ?less is more? approach, there?s no doubt he has the potential to be a solid college-level goalie.”MacBurnie?s mental toughness and his ability to anticipate the unexpected and manage the flow of the game are key elements to his success.?My own personal goaltending philosophy is playing strong and smart during rough patches in a game, (and) separating yourself from distractions that can affect your performance while communicating with my teammates. I am always motivated and prepared to do the very best in net to give my team the best chance,” he said.Part of that preparation includes an off-ice regimen of cardio work, cross training, stretching, yoga, weight-lifting, core strengthening, and playing sports such as tennis to develop hand-eye coordination.?I?m really looking forward to my upcoming senior year, both academically and playing hockey. I?ve been contacted by several colleges in the past year or so and I?m looking forward to the college process and being successful at the next level,” he said.