Worthington — Days after clinching their first Blue Division title in nearly a decade, Worthington Kilbourne is already turning its attention to the next challenge—one that will begin against a familiar foe in the Blue Jackets Cup. The Wolves will open postseason play against Gahanna-Lincoln, the very team they dethroned to win their first blue division championship since 2015.
Senior forward Brayden Balemian led the way as the team’s top scorer, but Kilbourne’s success has been driven by a deep, balanced roster. The Wolves have an offensive core made up of juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, while the blue line is anchored by junior Grant Todd, who Head Coach Greg Revak says has exceeded expectations.
“Grant was an okay player, but he’s far surpassed far exceeded any reasonable expectation,” Revak said. “He’s become our top defenseman as a junior.”
Fellow defenseman Alex Garrison posted six points and a plus-13 goal rating, part of what Revak describes as a unit that finally has “the depth we’ve lacked in the past.”
The division title is a breakthrough moment for a program that has spent years knocking on the door. Kilbourne has been a member of the Capital Hockey Conference since its founding in 2003 and came close to a division title in each of the past two seasons, only to stumble in key moments.
“We could have won the division both times had we not lost a game we shouldn’t have,” Revak said.
This time, they did just enough.
Kilbourne’s rise has been years in the making, built on steady development and a growing youth pipeline. Much of that foundation was laid by Bryan Cummings, whose work at the youth level is now paying dividends.
The Wolves expect to welcome 20 new players next season, a jump that will allow them to field a JV team.
“That’s a huge step for us,” Revak said. “We’ve been working on this goal for a long time. Bryan Cummings needs a special shoutout for seeing the program build our youth base.”
Many of Kilbourne’s top contributors had never played travel hockey before high school but have developed into key pieces over the past three years. Revak credits the players’ work ethic and a strong support system for the program’s success.
“It’s a true testament to their work, the coaching staff, alumni, parents, athletic department, and boosters,” he said. “It takes a village to build a great ice hockey program, and we have an awesome group of people all the way around.”
Kilbourne’s title isn’t just a milestone—it’s a sign of what’s ahead. With a deep talent pool and a growing program, the Wolves aren’t just celebrating a championship. They’re building something that could last.
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