The deluge of honors come following a season in which Bunker finished fourth nationally in face-off percentage (.714), winning 205 of his 287 draws; and 17th in ground balls per game average at 7.69. Those figures were tops in the New England Small College Athletic Conference.
More of a scorer than a face-off specialist at Masconomet, from which he graduated in 2007, Bunker learned the finer points of his trade from former Merrimack College All-American Nolan Godfrey of Haverhill in a half dozen one-on-one sessions.
“It was a way for me to get playing time almost immediately at Colby,’’ said Bunker, adding that he turned down interest from NESCAC rival Trinity when told he would not likely receive playing time there until his senior year.
His freshman year, Bunker won 49 percent of his face-offs and upped that to 65 percent his sophomore year. Last year he reached 72 percent.
Colby first-year coach Justin Domingos said the 5-foot-9, 185-pound Bunker is “the best face-off player I’ve ever coached. In my opinion, he’s the best in the country. I came here this season from Gettysburg and along the way saw some very talented face-off men, but [Bunker] is the best of the lot. He will be missed next season.’’
The 22-year-old Bunker scored just seven career goals in 61 games. Any scoring, though, was a bonus; it wasn’t his primary role. His focus was winning face-offs, a role he relished.
“It’s very difficult and very mental, it’s a game within a game,’’ said Bunker of his specialized skill. “It can kill or keep momentum. If your opponent scores and you win the subsequent face-off and go on offense, it kills that momentum. If you score and then win the face-off, you’re on offense again and keep the momentum going. Face-offs are such an important part of the game.’’
Bunker said he has been fortunate to have played for three outstanding coaches — first Rob Quinn, and then Jon Thompson, and then Domingos. “I learned something from each of them,’’ he said.
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