Junior Zach Crawley and his Pens Elite U16 hockey team took home the national championship trophy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, over the weekend.

The league that Crawley competed in consisted of 150 teams that were eventually whittled down to 16 for the national tournament. Crawley’s team defeated Yale Prep 2-1 to win the championship in a highly competitive game.

“We all really came together this year to win the tournament,” Crawley said.

Crawley is a defenseman and is proud to play for his Pens Elite team.

“It is a great organization and everyone bonded well and played as a team,” Crawley said. “We just had chemistry.”

The team struggled early on in the season, but as time went on they got closer as a team and began winning, Crawley said.

Crawley, who has been playing hockey for 10 years, was happy to be able to spend the tournament with his dad.

“I went with my dad and we had a good time,” Crawley said. “It was good to be able to bond with him.”

Next season Crawley will move up to Pens Elite U18 with his eye set on advancing even farther.

“I’d love to continue playing at the highest level,” Crawley said.