Juggling tennis balls usually isn’t associated with preparing for a hockey game.

For Northwestern’s Bailey Smargiassi, it is part of his pregame warmup. Over the past three years, he has made the most of juggling – literally and figuratively – two similar positions.

“I always carry three tennis balls in my hockey bag,” he recalled. “In fact, the set I’m using now has been with me for almost three years.

“I stand outside the locker room and I juggle. It allows me to tune my hand-eye coordination and keep my focus. It gets me ready for the game.”

Smargiassi employs the routine before getting in front of the net for the Northampton ice hockey team in the Lehigh Valley Scholastic Hockey League. The junior has also been the starting goalie for the Northwestern Lehigh boys lacrosse team for the past two years.

When he was six-years old, Smargiassi began playing ice hockey. His lacrosse career began in second grade.

Smargiassi initially undertook the position as a favor to the team.

“I became a lacrosse goalie because my middle school team needed one for one game,” he remembered. “I played well, and since I was already a hockey goalie, I became the team’s goalie.”

He has appreciated the lacrosse team environment, and having his older brother Noah, being on the team with him two years ago. It all helped create the scene for the program’s first district title in just its fourth season of existence.

Smargiassi set the team season record for saves when he recorded 215 this year. Over the past two years, he has 399 saves.

“In the championship game, it was very motivating for me to see all of the alumni, and most importantly, my brother on the sidelines,” said Smargiassi. “That motivated me to play better. The championship was for everyone on the team who could not be on the field that day.”

Janda certainly has relished Smargiassi’s contributions and maturity.

“Bailen has been a huge factor in our ascendance this season,” said Janda. “For a team only playing its fourth season, it takes players that are willing to mature quickly to compete with the more established programs.

“Bailen embodies that, and is mature beyond his years, acting like a seasoned vet. He led Northampton to the hockey championship and now to back-to-back district finals. He is as steady as they come, nothing rattles him, and he rarely gets excited. He’s a natural ball stopper, but his biggest growth has been understanding our entire defensive scheme. He should be in the conversation as the best goalie in the district.

Smargiassi is ranked third in his class, and has perpetuated the same level of excellence. He also plays the saxophone in the school band.

“He is an extremely talented student, which is a tribute to his work ethic,” added Janda. “He’s a special player, and a big reason why we’re doing special things this year.”

This past winter, Smargiassi posted a 13-2 record with a 2.06 goals against average and a .924 save percentage. while helping his team to its second LVSHL title in the past four years.

“I became an ice hockey goalie all thanks to my brother,” he said. “He was a goalie, so I became one. In fact, all of my equipment throughout my career, except for my current one, were my brother’s.”

Smargiassi knew he had to maintain his family’s reputation.

“My brother was an ice hockey goalie, but a midfielder in lacrosse,” noted Smargiassi. “In hockey, it is something special. He was my example and set the bar for the Smargiassi name. He won the championship for Northampton, and I promise you, he would not let me hear the end of it if we lost in the final.

“Without him, I would not be the goalie I am today.”

Kids’ head hockey coach Brian Ruff has watched Smargiassi evolve over the years, and follow in his older brother’s footsteps.

“You could just see him improve every year,” said Ruff. “When his brother won the Cup two years ago, you can see how he was becoming him. You could see him becoming his brother, and he became a very, very good goalie.

“His reactions, quickness, and angles were always spot on. He rarely gives up a bad goal. The goalie is as good as the five guys in front of him, but Bailen has taken his game to another level.”

Ruff stressed that Smargiassi’ roots have played a part in his success.

“If we send out an email with a response, they are always the first family to respond,” said Ruff. “They have been very supportive of the program, and the parents have been very supportive for their sons.

“They are grade A as far as family.”

When the season ends, Smargiassi has some goals already aligned.

“Next year, I will be a senior, and I will defend both championship titles with Northwestern and Northampton,” he said.