OXFORD — Talawanda’s hockey season was not a big success in the win-loss column, but one senior got to enjoy the results of his hard work with an appearance in the state all-star game.

Brandon Tafelski was the most improved player over the past two seasons, according to his coach, and his selection as a state all-star was much-deserved. Tafelski capped off his season scoring a goal with two assists in the game in Columbus on championship weekend.

“We played on the Columbus Blue Jackets’ home ice and got to see behind the scenes at Nationwide Arena. I got to play with the top 40 guys in Ohio. It’s something I did not take for granted,” Tafelski said. “One of my goals at the beginning of the season was to make all-state. I wanted to make first-team all conference in the SWOHSHL, with the league and get 100 career points. Seventy-five percent is not bad.”

The Braves missed the league title, but Tafelski calls the season a personal success even if the team’s record was not so strong. He finished his Talawanda hockey career with 106 points on 50 goals and 56 assists, he said. His senior season saw him net 20 of those goals and 15 assists.

The Braves finished 5-15-3 overall for the season and 4-4-3 in Southwestern Ohio High School Hockey League games, but coach Steve McGrinder said close games going a little differently might have made that record better.

“We had two ties with Sycamore and a tie with Elder. All three of those games could have been wins,” McGrinder said. “One goal in three different games is the difference between 4-4-3 and 7-4. It’s hard when you do not have the depth to run against teams that have three lines and four defensemen. I wanted to play as many as I could.”

He said many of the teams the Braves faced have junior varsity programs and are able to use their top players and train others at the junior varsity level. Talawanda has only a varsity team and faces the prospect of getting players experience at the varsity level against strong opponents.

Tafelski and fellow senior Mason Miller were both named to the first team all-conference team and were among five teammates honored by the Southwest Ohio High School Hockey League. Tafelski (a forward) and Miller (defense) were named to the South Division’s First Team.

Sam Poetter (defense) and Taylor Hamilton (forward) were named to the South Division’s Second Team. Wade McQueen garnered honorable mention honors.

McGrinder praised the hard work Tafelski put into hockey, calling him “an offensively gifted player.”

“He was the most improved player from the beginning of last year to the end of this year He was very deserving of first team all-league. A lot of the things he did fans did not see that coaches will,” McGrinder said.

Tafelski said he plans to continue playing hockey in college but at the club level at the University of Toledo this fall, which will bring him back to Oxford once a year to again play on Goggin ice when the schools’ club teams meet.

His 106-point high school career came in three seasons because he did not play hockey as a freshman and calls his career a success but wishes he been able to play for McGrinder longer.

“I feel if I had coach McGrinder for all four years, I would be three steps ahead of where I am right now, with the two extra years,” Tafelski said. “It’s been a struggle with a new coach (last year) to learn new methods. He’s a great coach. I feel I learned a lot in the past two years with him — what to do with and without the puck and to do a lot with my playing ability.”

Tafelski was teamed with two freshman teammates much of the season, his brother, Kyle, and Jacob McGrinder.

“As a senior, I was put with two freshmen. I tried to help develop Kyle and Jake and I feel I did a halfway decent job,” he said. “I hope my brother and Jake stay on the same line for three fantastic years down the road.”

Playing on a line with his brother was a season highlight for Tafelski and one particular moment was especially sweet.

“For me personally, it was getting to play with Kyle on the line for the first time in both of our careers,” he said. “It was just beautiful. I got him his first (high school) goal on an assist. I could not ask for a better linemate. My mom was so proud.”

He sees a good future for Talawanda hockey with seven seniors on this year’s team and the experience gained by the freshman players.

“They will be in good hands with Sam (Poetter) and Taylor (Hamilton) as leaders,” he said.

Coach McGrinder said the losses were a disappointment, but they had an ambitious schedule facing many teams in the top 20 of last year’s final standings including a powerhouse slate in the season-opening DiPaolo tournament at the Goggin Ice center.

“It’s not fun losing. We won 14 last year. This year, we won five. Last year, the problem was we exceeded expectations. This year, we lost two of the top three scorers and over two years, we lost five of the top eight. You can’t manufacture offense,” he said. “I’ve never had a group of kids who had more fun in the dressing room and on the ice as these guys. They just get along so well. So many good things happened this year that do not show on the scoreboard. The guys learned the system and there was great camaraderie.”