Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Norwin’s Owen Burmeister

By: Anthony DiFilippo
Monday, November 13, 2023 | 11:33 AM

Norwin’s hockey team got off to a good start to the season in Class 2A, going 3-1-0-1 in its first five games.

This is the team’s first year at that level, and it’s an understatement to say it deserved the move up in class.

After winning the Penguins Cup two seasons ago, it made it all the way to the semifinals last year, losing to Fox Chapel.

The way goaltender Owen Burmeister sees it, those teams seemed to find their stride late.

“Both seasons, we came together towards the end, especially the Pens Cup year,” Burmeister said. “We weren’t much of a defensive team, but then we just turned into one.”

For the Knights, the bump up to Class 2A has been nothing but positive, in the eyes of Burmeister.

“Every game is close. It’s just memories,” Burmeister said. “Everyone gets really hyped about it now. Every win is a huge win, and every game means so much.”

Norwin did get its “welcome to 2A” moment recently in a 7-1 loss to undefeated Thomas Jefferson. It was outshot 54-10.

“Thomas Jefferson’s just incredible,” Burmeister said. “We were missing three huge players through travel and injuries, so it will be nice to get them back. I’m just excited to see them again.”

The regular goalie job has been Burmeister’s for the last two-plus seasons, and he’s posted his best results yet this year.

An .885 save percentage is a career high, which is even more impressive considering the results of the last two campaigns.

Helping Burmeister’s cause is teammate Alex Thomas, the leading scorer in Class 2A with 11 goals and six assists in five games.

That, along with the rest of the team, has allowed Burmeister to do what he does best.

“We’re just incredible, and we have the best player in the league with Alex (Thomas). It pretty much feels like a guaranteed hat trick every game with him,” Burmeister said. “That definitely brings a lot of security having that offense in front of me.”

Burmeister wants to attend college to play hockey but isn’t sure what he wants to do academically yet.

This week, Burmeister took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

How did you get started with hockey?

I started in seventh grade. I always played a bunch of sports. I was always playing baseball, basketball and football. I started with dek , because I loved the Penguins. They were building up that year. Even going to my first Penguins game, I fell in love with it.

What are your team goals for the rest of the year?

I think we can finish top four, and I think second or third would be a reasonable goal. Definitely top four, though. I think we can get top four in the league. Obviously, I want to get a deep playoff run.

How would you describe your personal performance this season?

It’s such a step up from the years prior, especially with the level I’m playing at, since it’s 2A. It’s a lot of hard work and constantly practicing. Wednesdays I’m on the ice for three practices. I pretty much have one off day a week. It’s constant practicing and constant film watching. I’ll even watch film of my practices, just making sure I’m on my game. Constant self-criticism. I also have a lot of confidence in myself this season, which is a huge difference. My team also has a lot of confidence in me. My team knows what I prefer in my game. That’s another thing. Our chemistry is just so good. We’re all great friends off the ice. We’re always hanging out with each other.

Is there a certain goalie you try to emulate or look up to?

I definitely really like Igor Shesterkin, I love his game. He gets his team a lot of momentum, and I feel like I’m starting to do that now. I’m making up to 10 big saves a game on really good scoring opportunities. It takes away their momentum and gives it to us. Hempfield, for example, there were plenty there. We just kept constantly getting momentum back and stopping their streak.

What’s one thing that people don’t know about you?

I didn’t even know how to skate before seventh grade. I did learn to skate and learn to play before my middle school tryouts. I had no prior experience. I haven’t been playing for very long compared to everyone else.

Tags: Norwin