The Jewish Link and The Humble Toast would like to recognize Jedidiah Konovitch as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The senior at SAR High School in Riverdale, was a force in goal for the MYHSAL champion SAR Sting varsity hockey team. SAR entered the season with two great goalies, but no one defined starter, a role that Jed eventually won. When asked about their goalie SAR head coach, Jacob Schwartzman told The Jewish Link, “Jed is a guy who you want to play for. Throughout the season no matter what the team faced he was always making sure we were playing and winning together as a team. Not only was he able to exemplify his skills in the crease, but he was able to show what type of leader and person he is. Not many goalies, or even players, are able to have a slow start to a game and quickly turn it around and lock back in, keeping his eye on the prize and never giving up. That type of mentality rubs off on the rest of the team and we were able to see how the attitude and atmosphere changed.” Assistant coach Judah Blonder added, “SAR entered the season with no one breaking away with the starting goalie role but throughout the fall Jed constantly put his head down, put in the work and never stopped even after he secured the starter job. His hard work and winner mentality rubbed off on the rest of the team and I truly believe that demeanor helped calm the team down when we were down 3-0 in the first.”
Jed, congrats on the championship and on being recognized as this week’s Sportstar of the Week! Who is your role model and why?
My father has always been my role model. He has taught me the value of hard work and discipline on the rink, the court and in life.
What is your favorite sport?
Hockey. I love the intensity and the speed but most of all the mental toughness that comes with playing goalie.
What is your pregame routine?
I like to turn off the lights, play some music and focus on my breathing to help me get locked in.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
Winning the 2022/2023 Metropolitan Yeshiva High School Athletic League Championship. We were down 3-0 midway through the first period of the championship game, but as my father always told me: “For a goalie the score is always 0-0. Only the next shot counts.” I kept my composure and I kept my team in it as we clawed our way back to end regulation tied 4-4. Having the ability to stay focused and turn aside 15 shots in the overtime period to backstop my team to the championship is undoubtedly the greatest sports accomplishment of my career.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Henrik Lundquvist. I am a goalie and I am a New York Rangers fan. Need I say more?
What is your earliest sports memory?
Putting on goalie pads for the first time and being completely immobile on the ice.
What is your weirdest sports memory?
When I was 11 years old I was playing ice hockey for a house-league in Yonkers. I refused to let anyone help me put on my equipment. I ended up pulling a shoulder muscle trying to get my jersey on. I had to go home before the game even started.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
Travel with my family.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Winning the 2022/2023 Metropolitan Yeshiva High School Athletic League floor hockey championship in overtime in the final game of my career. Winning the 2023 quarter-final playoff game of the Big Apple High School League ice hockey championship in an overtime shootout is a close second.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
Seeing years and years of hard work pay off.
The Humble Toast Star of the week will receive a $25 gift card to The Humble Toast. Please send nominees for an upcoming The Humble Toast Jewish Link Stars of the Week to [email protected].
By Jewish Link Sports Desk
