Berwick Academy senior goaltender Max Motew was recently chosen to compete for Team USA in the upcoming Maccabiah Games in Israel from July 18-30, 2013.  The Maccabiah is the world's largest Jewish athletic competition and takes place every four years.  The event is also known as the "Jewish Olympics".  

Max came to Berwick Academy, Maine, as a senior this fall and plays for the Boys Varsity Hockey Team.  Max has been playing hockey since the age of 3 and has been in the goal since age 5.  He began travel hockey by the age of 7 and went up through the ranks in the Miswest Hockey League, ending his Midwest days after playing for the elite AAA level for both the Chicago Young Americans and Team Illinois.  The summer after eighth grade, max was selected to play in his first big East Coast Showcase called Hockey Night in Boston, known as a week where many prep school coaches come to scout out new talent.  Max was scouted by Hebron Academy, where he attended from grades 9-11 before transferring to Berwick Academy this year.  Max is originally from Highland Park and currently living with the family of teammate Jake Morrisette, who's family is hosting Max for the 2012-2013 season.  They reside in New Hampshire.

Last spring and summer Max was selected to play in several east coast Eastern Junior Hockey League Showcases to experience the junior levels of hockey for the first time.  While at one of the showcases, max and his dad met the hockey director of the Maccabiah Games.  It was then that Max was invited to try-out later that summer in Philadelphia.  Of the goalies trying out for the Men's team, Max was the youngest, the age span for his team is 18-39.  He was selected along with two other goalies.  

Max commented, "I am very honored to be a part of this awesome experience of competing in the sport I love in Israel.  I will spend three weeks with my team and meet people from all over the world.  I have never been to Israel so i am extremely excited and can't wait to bring home the gold!"

This will be the first trip for the USA Hockey Team to the Maccabiah games in 15 years, which makes this event very special for the team and for Max.  Max's BA head coach, Andy Lathrop commented, "Max is an extremely hard worker and very deserving of such an incredible honor.  During the short time he has played for BA he has proven to be a very talented goaltender and an excellent addition to our team.  He will do well and we are all very proud of him here at BA."

Max's two Maccabiah Hockey coaches are Highland Park native and NHL Network analyst, Billy Jaffe and NHL Dallas Stars player, Eric Nystrom.