It has never been easy to become the No. 1 goaltender for Cranston West’s hockey Falcons. Derek Hagopian is living proof that it takes time – as well as lots and lots of hard work – to become keeper of the Falcons’ nets.

For example, when Hagopian tried out as a freshman, the Falcons were loaded with great goalies. Head coach Mike Boyajian already had two all-division caliber goalies in his program and a total of seven others were trying out.

But Hagopian worked tirelessly from being No. 3 on the depth chart to No. 1, and he recently finished his high school career with some impressive numbers and awards. Among the honors was the Rhode Island Red Heritage Society’s “Unsung Hockey Hero” award, which was presented to Hagopian last month.

“Derek Hagopian fits into every category for this award,” said Red Heritage Society president Buster Clegg. “He is an accomplished young man in the classroom, on the ice and in charity work.”

The Reds awards program began last year. Included in the honors are six unsung hero awards, three for girls and three for boys. The awards are named in honor of former Reds greats Chuck Scherza, Gil Mayer and Ferny Flaman. The winners of the awards are determined by a special selection committee that is made up of high school hockey coaches and representatives of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and Reds Heritage Society Board of Directors.

Hagopian was the recipient of the boys’ award for goalies.

“Derek Hagopian was a perfect fit for this year’s Gil Mayer Goalie Award,” Clegg said. “Each nominee is recognized not only for his or her outstanding contributions to high school hockey, but also for demonstrating acts of sportsmanship, leadership, community involvement, academic performance, talent and ability and challenges coping with personal obstacles and hardships.”

Hagopian has had success both on and off the ice throughout his high-school career. This season, he played 785 minutes in net, tops among all RIIL keepers. He recorded 509 saves, which was second in Division I and a 2.86 goals against average that was also second in the Eccleston sub-division. His .911 save percentage was at the top of the division.

Hagopian was relied heavily upon to keep every game close, as Cranston West struggled offensively and only averaged 1.77 goals per game over 18 regular season contests.

Off the ice, Hagopian is an honors student and has been a volunteer goalie instructor for the Edgewood Youth Hockey program. He also joins in a family tradition of helping others on Thanksgiving. Hagopian has teamed up with his grandmother Jean Ricci, aunt Kristen DeAngelis, brother Brandon and cousins to purchase and deliver turkeys to the South Providence Ministries every Thanksgiving since he was a very young boy.

Hagopian plans to enroll at either the University of Rhode Island or Rhode Island College this fall and major in criminal justice.