"THE COMPETITION HAS NEVER BEEN FIERCER."
Welcome to the third edition of Hockey East Magazine!
As we roll into 2025, we’re reflecting on an exciting start to the year and the incredible moments that have already made this season one for the history books. From thrilling wins to remarkable achievements, the energy throughout Hockey East has been palpable.
One of the biggest moments of the past month was the 2025 Dunkin’ Women’s Beanpot, where history was made at TD Garden. The tournament not only saw a record-breaking attendance of 13,279, but Northeastern claimed its third consecutive title and 20th overall, a testament to the growing strength of women’s hockey.
On the international stage, we’re proud to recap the outstanding performances of Hockey East players at the IIHF World Junior Championship. In total, 14 athletes represented our league with skill and determination and we’re excited to give you a glimpse into their journey. Plus, the upcoming Four Nations Tournament promises even more international action featuring the best NHL players today and we can’t wait to see how our alumni shine, including all three goaltenders for Team USA.
This issue will feature a look at the University of Vermont’s men’s rookie class and the impact they’re already making on the program’s future. We’ll also dive into the incredible career of Merrimack Women’s Hockey Coach Erin Hamlen, a true pioneer in women’s hockey and one of the first female professional goaltenders.
In addition, we’ll break down the NCAA’s recent rule change regarding major junior eligibility, something that will undoubtedly have an impact on the future of college hockey.
As we approach the postseason, the excitement continues to build. The competition has never been fiercer, and we’re reminded of the passion and dedication that fuels our league. Thank you for your continued support, and we hope this issue brings you closer to the action, the triumphs, and the faces that make Hockey East so special.
Enjoy the read!
Steve Metcalf
Steve Metcalf Commissioner
Allison Ouellette Graduate Intern
LEAGUE NEWS
DUNKIN’ WOMEN’S BEANPOT CHAMPIONSHIP
For the third-straight year, Northeastern women’s hockey was crowned Beanpot Champions as they shutout the Boston University Terriers on January 25. It marked the second straight year that the Women’s Beanpot championship game was played at TD Garden and the total attendance was 13,279, over 3,000 more than last year. The crowd was the largest for a women’s hockey game in New England history and the fifth largest in NCAA women’s hockey history.
Freshman goaltender Lisa Jönsson stopped all 30 shots she faced in the final game, winning her the Joe Bertagna Award for the best goaltender and tournament MVP honors.
WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Hockey East had 10 representatives on the gold-medal winning Team USA at the 2025 World Junior Championship. Boston College freshman Teddy Stiga scored the overtime goal to lift the U.S. to backto-back golds at the WJC for the first time ever, captained by his Eagles’ teammate Ryan Leonard. In total, 24 of 37 U.S. goals in the tournament were scored by Hockey East skaters, including 12 of 15 goals in elimination games and seven of their eight goals in the semifinals and final. Boston College and Boston University players contributed to 36 of 37 USA goals.
The 2025 Four Nations Face-Off is an international tournament that will feature NHL players from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden. The tournament will take place from February 12-20, 2025 at the Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston.
A total of 11 Hockey East alumni will be hitting the ice for three of the four countries. Players from Boston College, Boston University, Maine, UMass, UMass Lowell will represent Hockey East and their countries. Nine of these 11 players will be donning Team USA jerseys. And in a standout feat, all three of the United States’ goaltenders— Connor Hellebuyck (UML), Jake Oettinger (BU), and Jeremy Swayman (Maine)—developed their craft in Hockey East.
RECENT RESULTS
MEN’S WOMEN’S
Boston University toppled Harvard, 7-1, in the Beanpot semifinals in front of a sold out TD Garden on Monday. Rookie defender Cole Hutson scored two goals and added two assists while first-year goaltender Mikhail Yegorov stopped 26 of 27 shots he faced in just his third NCAA start.
Boston College rookie Teddy Stiga scored 46 seconds into the Beanpot semifinal against league rival Northeastern and ignited an Eagles’ offense that saw 16 of 18 skaters record at least one point in an 8-2 win. It marks the first time Boston College advanced into the title game since 2019. BC last won the crown in 2016, a 1-0 overtime win against Boston University.
Providence and UConn dueled in a battle of top 10 teams, with the Friars emerging with four of six points and snapping the Huskies’ seven-game unbeaten streak. After skating to a 3-3 draw on Friday on NESN+, the Friars got three goals from Hudson Malinoski in front of 11,781 at the XL Center in Hartford on Saturday for a 6-3 win.
Maine swept a series in Hockey East play, toppling Northeastern and Massachusetts, to remain second in the Army ROTC Hockey East Standings. Taylor Makar scored three goals and Albin Boija stopped 44 of 47 shots he faced for the Black Bears.
Saturday’s tilt between Merrimack Valley rivals UMass Lowell and Merrimack saw multiple milestones hit, including the 150th career games for the Warriors’ Josef Mysak and River Hawks’ Jack Robilotti and Warriors’ rookie Ryan O’Connell’s first career score. UMass Lowell took the victory, 3-2, behind 16 saves from Beni Halasz.
With less than one month remaining in the Hockey East regular season, the women’s Army ROTC Standings have begun to take shape with Boston University, UConn, Northeastern, Boston College, and Providence all 10 points or more clear of sixth-place Maine. The top five teams receive byes into the quarterfinals.
Providence sits just two points outside of the top four slots after a sweep of Maine and New Hampshire, lifted by five goals from sophomore Audrey Knapp.
New Hampshire goaltender Sedona Blair stopped 85 of 89 shots she faced in a split weekend for the Wildcats, including a careerhigh 43 saves in a 1-0 win against Holy Cross on Friday. She followed up with 42 saves in a 4-3 overtime set back the next night.
Merrimack upset No. 12 Boston College on Saturday thanks in part to 30 saves from Calli Hogarth, who posted back-to-back 30+ save performances against ranked opponents.
Holy Cross senior defenseman Carmen Elliott scored her first career game-winning goal in overtime on senior night in a 1-0 win against Maine. She also blocked six shots on the weekend and sang the national anthem prior to senior night’s puck drop.
Tickets to the 2025 Hockey East Women’s Championship game are on sale now. The 23rd annual championship will be hosted at UConn’s Toscano Family Ice Forum on Saturday, March 8.
STANDOUT GOALTENDERS
Hockey East regularly boasts some of the top goaltenders in the nation and this season is no different. Lisa Jönsson leads the country with a .953 save percentage and ranks second nationally with a 1.17 goals-against average, while her seven shutouts are tied for second.
Tia Chan has also been a standout, posting a .941 save percentage (tied for fifth nationally) and a 1.57 goals-against average, along with three shutouts.
On the men’s side, Albin Boija has recorded a .929 save percentage and a 1.61 goals- against average, which ranks second in the nation, while his three shutouts are tied for third.
Jacob Fowler has been dominant in net, tying for fifth nationally with a .938 save percentage and ranking third with a 1.65 goals-against average, while his six shutouts lead the country.
BOSTON COLLEGE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Boston College men’s hockey sits atop the Army ROTC Hockey East Standings and the national rankings, with an 20-4-1 record overall and an 123-1 mark in league play. The Eagles are ranked No. 1 in the country in the PairWise rankings and both national polls.
Together, the Eagles boast some of the topperforming skaters and goaltender in the conference. Ryan Leonard leads the league in goals (19), points (25), and points per game (1.56), while Gabe Perreault tops assists (16) and ranks second in points (20). Jacob Fowler leads Hockey East in wins (10), shutouts (4), and save percentage (.940), ranking second in goals against average (1.71). All three are high ranking nationally, Leonard is #1 in game winning goals (8) and #1 in goals overall (22). Perreault is #2 in assists (23) and #8 in points per game (1.33). And Fowler is tied for #3 in wins and goals against average (1.56), and tied for #5 in save percentage (.938).
Boston University holds a 18-8-1 overall record and a 15-4-1 mark in league play. Following a shutout loss to Northeastern in the Beanpot Championship on January 21, BU rebounded with back-to-back shutouts against Holy Cross. Over the weekend, they took down #12 Boston College (3-2) and Vermont (4-1), putting them on a 4-game win streak.
They will play only league opponents as the regular season winds down, culminating in a home-andhome series against #15 UConn.
The Terriers sit at the top of the conference in several key statistical categories, showcasing their strength on both ends of the ice. Defensively, they have allowed the fewest goals against, giving up just 27 so far this season. Their special teams have also been a major factor in their success. They lead the league with 15 power-play goals and boast the best penalty kill percentage at an impressive 94.8%.
"WHEN YOU'RE ONLY GIVEN CERTAIN OPPORTUNITIES OR AVENUES TO DO THE THINGS THAT YOU LOVE, YOU DO THEM WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE IMPACT THEY'LL HAVE LATER."
Erin Hamlen’s (née Whitten) career is a story of groundbreaking firsts, yet she speaks of her journey with a quiet humility, focusing not on her achievements but on her love for the game. Her dedication has paved the way for countless women to follow her into the world of professional hockey.
When Hamlen first laced up her skates, women’s leagues did not exist. She began playing on boys’ teams and eventually graduated to men’s professional teams after high school—a remarkable path made even more challenging by her position as a goaltender, where opportunities were already scarce. But for Hamlen, it was never about making history.
“When you’re only given certain opportunities or avenues to do the things that you love, you do them without thinking about the impact they’ll have later,” she reflected. “I didn’t do anything different than anybody else who wanted to play hockey at the time. I just played.”
With no regard for the glass ceilings shattering to the floor around her, she continued her playing career through college, men’s professional hockey and a concurrent, almost 10-year long stint with the United States Women’s National Team.
Hamlen grew up in Glens Falls, New York, a town that lived and breathed hockey. Their thriving hockey community was formative for her.
“You felt like you were just immersed in it all the time.”
“It was one of those communities where if you didn’t play hockey as a male you were an outlier. As a female it was unique, but I relished being just a little different than everybody else,” she smiles.
After high school hockey she played for four years at the University of New Hampshire before graduating in 1993. While she was there she helped lead the team to two ECAC championships.
The NCAA did not sponsor a women’s ice hockey championship until 2001. The ECAC hosted a league championship starting in 1984, which was the only women’s collegiate championship for over 15 years.
After graduating from UNH, Hamlen tried out for the Adirondack Red Wings (AHL) which played in her hometown and she grew up watching. She was picked up by their ECHL affiliate, the Toledo Storm.
During her time with the Storm, she became the first woman to earn a victory in a professional hockey game as a goaltender.
“I went in at the beginning of the second period because supposedly our starting goalie
was injured. I’m pretty positive that was the plan from the beginning and they just didn’t fill me in,” she laughed. “I ended up getting the win and it was a huge splash for so many people. It was a cool experience because a lot of those doors opened up for me.”
Hamlen’s eager personality likely made it easier for her to fit in.
“Because I just tried to blend in and try to be one of them, I wasn’t thought of as something completely different,” she explained. “From an internal perspective, most of the teams were supportive and I never really felt too isolated.”
Over the course of her professional career, Hamlen bounced around to a number of different teams.
“The beginning was always the hardest, when I didn’t know how I was going to be received,” she shared. “[I experienced] both ends of the spectrum, some people wanted to make my life miserable but for the most part I had really great support with every team I played with.”
Aside from her teammates and coaches who were often encouraging, she explains that outsiders had the most to say about her career.
“There were moments when a reporter would decide that they didn’t like me or wanted to take an angle that a woman [didn’t] belong in [that] environment. I had that happen to me a couple of times,” she remembered.
“Then it became harder because it was people on the outside who wanted to judge me and what I was doing. They didn’t take the time to know why I was doing it, they just wanted to judge.”
During her career, she became one of the first women to play in the ECHL and the first woman to play in both the Central Hockey
League and the Colonial Hockey League. At the same time she was playing for the U.S. Women’s National team as their starting goalie.
“With the national team, there are so many memories, some really, really good and some definitely heartbreaking,” she admitted.
Women’s ice hockey was not an Olympic sport until 1998, and the U.S.the national team was a vessel for spreading awareness for the game and increasing the level of competition.
“We were traveling to international tournaments, it seemed like a big deal to us, but at the same time the world didn’t really know about us so it was understated in a lot of ways.”
Competing in the Olympics is the ultimate dream for most athletes, and for many, joining the national team is the first step toward that goal. Pulling on your country’s jersey becomes a defining moment: a symbol of pride and connection to the generations of athletes who came before. That jersey carries the weight of history, representing everyone who has ever worn it.
But for the first group of women to don that jersey, it held a different significance. There was no nostalgia tied to it yet, no legacy to uphold. Instead, they were the ones creating the history that future generations would honor.
“At the time I didn’t recognize just how big it was. The women today who have seen so many come before and so much more hype around the game. I would imagine that their first experience putting on the USA jersey might be a little different than mine.”
When the U.S. National Team finalized its inaugural women’s roster for the 1998 Winter Olympics, Hamlen was ultimately left off the team, missing the chance to compete in the historic games.
“Not making the Olympics was crushing,” she remembered. “I got cut three days before Christmas and all my teammates went on [to win the gold medal].”
“It was really hard for a long time. But I’ve taken that and used it for myself as a way to inspire other young athletes through adversity and I became very resilient.”
A few years later, Hamlen chose to retire to pursue her coaching career.
After hanging up her skates, she returned to her alma mater, the University of New Hampshire, as an assistant coach and would go on to coach the Boston Blades (Canadian Women’s Hockey league), assisting with the U.S. Women’s National Team. She also led Under-18 Teams for the U.S., China, and Japan.
In 2012, she then started the Division III program at the University of New England. And ten years ago she began the Division I team at Merrimack College and has remained the sole head coach of the program since then.
After early success with the young Merrimack team, the program faced some challenges and Hamlen is working to rebuild a strong team culture.
“The possibility to win every night is there and I don’t think I could have said that two, three years ago,” she shared. “We’re now at a place where we’re creating a renewed belief that we can become a winning program again and become more established.”
Part of Hamlen’s role as a Division I coach is preparing her players for what comes after their college careers. With the success of the PWHL, the landscape of women’s hockey for postgraduates has completely changed.
“The PWHL has become this league that everybody aspires to go to,” she said. “Now [after college], your life isn’t over, your hockey career isn’t over.”
“It’s an opportunity I wish I had. Instead of looking up to Connor Bedard or any of the men’s pro players, you’re looking up to Hillary Knight and Aerin Frankel.”
Hamlen also noted that her parents are an incredible influence on her even today.
“The things they sacrificed and what they did to make sure I got everything I wanted. When you get older in life you recognize it more,” she explained. “I wouldn’t be anywhere near the person or player that I was, or the coach that I am, without them.”
Hamlen’s story is more than a tale of breaking barriers and achieving firsts– it is a testament to resilience, quiet leadership, and an unwavering love for the game of hockey. From playing on ponds and backyard rinks in Glens Falls to paving the way for future generations as a player and coach, her legacy is one of grit, perseverance, and selflessness.
Hamlen never sought recognition or acclaim; she simply wanted to play the game she loved and help others do the same. In doing so, she became a symbol of possibility for countless women in hockey, proving that success is not only measured by accolades but by the impact left on others.
As she continues to shape the next generation of players at Merrimack College, Hamlen remains driven by the same passion that carried her through years of groundbreaking achievements. The doors she opened and the culture she helped build will resonate far beyond her own career, inspiring others to dream bigger and aim higher.
Even though Hamlen did not set out to break barriers or redefine what was possible for women in hockey, she managed to do just that. ■
The University of Vermont men’s hockey team has been a name in NCAA Division 1 hockey since 1974. Over the decades, the program has produced NHL All-Stars such as Tim Thomas, Martin St. Louis, and John LeClair, as well as Olympians who have represented the U.S., Canada, and Sweden.
In 2005, Vermont left the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) to join Hockey East, a move that placed them in the most competitive conference in college hockey. Since then, the Catamounts have embraced the challenges that come with competing at the highest level.
Under the guidance of current Head Coach Steve Wiedler, the program is beginning a new era in Vermont Hockey.
Wiedler, now in his second year as head coach, is leading the charge in reshaping the program. At 38, he is the youngest head coach in Hockey East, but his vision and determination have already made an undeniable impact on the program.
“In year two of our staff leading this program, it’s great to have our first recruiting class be one that we think we can build upon,” he shared recently before a series at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
The 2024-25 freshmen, the first recruiting class under Wiedler’s leadership as head coach, includes six players: Max Strand, Colin Kessler, Charlie Kinsman, Blake Steenerson, Michael La Starza, and Jax Wismer. Five of the six competed against one another in the Eastern Conference of the USHL. Now, as teammates, they have quickly become key contributors to, what may prove to be, Vermont’s future resurgence.
Within the freshman class, forwards Strand (#29) and Kessler (#7) have been at the forefront of the team’s offensive success. Due to their performances they have both received Hobey Baker nominations, an annual award presented to the top NCAA men’s hockey player.
Strand leads the team in points, tied for first in assists, and shares the lead in power play goals with Kessler, who is leading the team in goals. As the two have settled into their roles as linemates, their impressive partnership has become a testament to the new culture Wiedler is fostering.
Strand’s performance earned him the recognition of both Hockey East and National Rookie of the Month for December, a stretch during which Vermont went on a five-game nonconference winning streak. The Catamounts scored 30 goals in that span, with 10 of them coming from first-year players. The team averaged six goals a game - a rare feat for any program in Hockey East.
“I’ve never seen us put a whoop into nonconference teams like we did this year,” Coach
Wiedler shares. “That’s a step in the right direction.”
Since league play resumed for the Catamounts, the team has scored 13 goals. First-year players have contributed 16 points to that total, with 5 goals and 11 assists. In five of the six games they have played, a freshman has found the back of the net.
Kessler and Strand, who both played for the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL, were drawn to Vermont by a shared vision of wanting to make a lasting impact on the program.
“We want to make a difference,” Kessler said.
“When I visited here, I fell in love with it,” said Strand. “The Gut reminded me of my rink in Roseau (Minnesota, his hometown), and it just felt like home.”
For Vermont players, one of the biggest appeals of the program is the ability to contribute to something
bigger than themselves - a program with a rich history and legacy and with much more to prove.
“Here, you’re playing for the past and what the logo means. It’s bigger than yourself and bigger than the team we have now,” Kessler explains. “It’s not a weight on your shoulders, it’s a privilege.”
Coach Wiedler shares that sentiment, “We have the task of bringing [Vermont] back. I don’t see that as pressure, I see that as an exciting thing.”
The sense of pride in Vermont’s history and community is a key factor in Wiedler’s vision for the program.
“There’s nothing better than coming in with a dream and through your own actions making that a reality. That’s a unique circumstance,” he says. “There’s a lot of things that have to line up for that to happen and certain things that you need but our players want for nothing. They have everything they need in order to do that.”
Wiedler explains that no matter the
timeline, those who contribute to Vermont’s turnaround will be remembered by the program.
“Whether it’s this year or five years from now, if you were part of taking those steps, then you know what? I’ll send those [you] a championship ring too.”
Coach Wiedler acknowledges that the team’s journey is still in its early stages and that growth will be constant.
Vermont’s next nine games will bring them toe-to-toe with nationally-ranked, conference foes including UMass Lowell, Boston College, Maine, and Boston University.
“We’ve known since the beginning of the year that the last 15-game stretch is all Hockey East play and that those are the games that we really have to show up for,” Strand explains. “We’re prepared. We’re ready.”
The freshmen have quickly adjusted to the demands of Hockey East, and according to Wiedler, their willingness to embrace the challenge has been a key factor in their success.
“These guys (Kessler and Strand) have a competitive fire that burns underneath the surface. That’s another reason for my optimism. I know who these guys are on the inside.”
Wiedler believes their attitude has been a catalyst for their early impact.
“I don’t see them being intimidated, which contributes to how they’ve taken off as freshmen. These guys decided to do a cannonball rather than dipping their toe in the water.”
While Vermont’s recent results have reflected the tough nature of Hockey East, the program is undeniably moving in the right direction. Wiedler is confident that the foundation laid by this group of players will lead to something bigger.
“The program has taken another step and we’re pushing toward a bright future,” he says. “There’s a belief that we’re building something bigger than trying to get individual points.”
This collective mindset is critical to the team’s growth. As Wiedler explains, the focus is on continued improvement and creating a legacy that will last.
The incoming classes, paired with the current freshman class’s energy and passion, are setting the stage for a bright future.
Wiedler sees an internal confidence as key to the program’s ongoing development.
“One thing that’s going to
continue to grow is that competitive fire,” he states. “There’s an ability to go toe-to-toe and against anybody in the nation. There’s a belief in our team and our program that hasn’t been here since I’ve been here.”
The ability to adapt, compete, and overcome adversity will define them as they face the challenges ahead but they have an exciting opportunity for success that the program has not seen in years. ■
MAJOR JUNIOR ELIGIBILITY
Next season is slated to be the first season that the NCAA has allowed Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players to maintain their eligibility for NCAA hockey. This decision, effective August 1, 2025, is a game-changer for the hockey world. To understand its significance it is necessary to understand how hockey development systems work and where college hockey fits into the larger picture.
In North America, hockey players have several paths they can take as they develop their skills and aim for professional leagues like the NHL. Traditionally, there have been two primary tracks just below the professional ranks: major junior hockey (CHL) and NCAA hockey.
The CHL is the top junior hockey league in Canada and is made up of three leagues: Western Hockey League (WHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
These leagues are for players aged 16-20 and are considered the main route to professional hockey through Canada. Many NHL stars have developed in the CHL as it offers high-level competition and a schedule that mirrors that of professional leagues with teams playing close to 60 games per season.
The other primary development path is through NCAA college hockey, where players compete while earning their college degrees. The NCAA emphasizes amateurism, meaning players cannot be paid to play and must follow strict rules to maintain their eligibility. College hockey has taken a large leap forward over the past 10 years, and now develops over one-third of all NHL players.
There are additional paths to making it as a pro hockey player, such as the United States Hockey league (USHL) or going to Europe. But the CHL and NCAA remain the two most-popular development routes for players in North America aiming for the NHL. Under the new rule, players who compete in the CHL are no longer automatically ineligible to play NCAA hockey. Now, they can join NCAA teams if they did not receive payments beyond basic expenses while in the CHL. Essentially, the rule allows for more fluid movement between major junior and college hockey, giving players more options in their path.
The rule change was instigated by a lawsuit filed by a former CHL player, claiming the NCAA’s restrictions violated US antitrust laws.
CHL eligibility will likely reshape the college hockey landscape in a few ways. First, there is now an expanded talent pool that college recruiters can pull from. Secondly, young players no longer have to choose one path between the CHL or college hockey at an early age. They can begin in one system and switch later if the other better suits their goals. Additionally, as college hockey continues to expand, the increased pool will allow for increased competition within the NCAA.
While the rule change is an exciting opportunity for many, there are also a number of hurdles to navigate. The NCAA programs will need to carefully monitor their CHL recruits to ensure they continue to meet eligibility rules.
For hockey as a whole, this decision bridges a gap between two previously separate development systems. It aligns major junior hockey more closely with NCAA hockey, creating a more cohesive environment for player development.
This change is expected to bring more attention to NCAA hockey, as fans and scouts will now see CHL players competing in the college ranks. It also gives young players more flexibility to chart their careers and the ability to prioritize hockey and education.
MY STORY: JR BUTLER, FOUNDER OF THE SHIFT GROUP
In 2023, Hockey East and The Shift Group officially became partners. The agreement was secured by Van Wagner, who manages Hockey East’s sponsorship and marketing partners program. The Shift Group’s mission is to provide collegiate athletes a network and road map for a smooth transition into professional careers. Founded by former Division 1 athletes and staffed by some Hockey East alumni, the Shift Group offers B2B sales training for both athletes and veterans and introductions to a large hiring network of close to 200 hiring partners in technology, healthcare, biotech, real estate, and financial services.
The Shift Group emerged from founder JR Butler’s experience as a sales leader at an early-stage startup and the expensive struggles of retaining sales hires in a fast-growth well-funded company. The goal of Shift Group is to prepare collegiate athletes and military veterans for success with companies where they can grow, learn, and earn consistently.
The following is the story of Butler’s life in hockey, as told by him.
For the first 24 years of my life, hockey was my entire identity and purpose. I was the oldest of three sons of a Hall of Fame Hockey Coach, as my dad stood behind the bench for the Marlboro (Mass.) High School Panthers as Head Coach for over 25 years, overseeing many tournament appearances, deep playoff runs, and one incredible State Championship.
Hockey unlocked incredible opportunities for me that my nonhockey playing friends from Marlboro never could imagine. It gave me the chance to go up to Cushing Academy after a great freshman year playing for my dad at Marlboro High, having led Central Massachusetts defenseman in points and plus-minus as a freshman. I had dozens of teammates across my three years for Cushing that went on to careers in Hockey East and many that played years of professional hockey. After my junior year at Cushing, I committed early to Holy Cross. It was a dream school for me because I got to be closer to home.. My sophomore year at Holy Cross would end up being the highlight of my athletic career, being on the team that upset the University of Minnesota in the NCAA tournament, still considered the biggest upset in college hockey history.
Hockey is what made me who I am today. I’ve never been the best player on any team I was on. In fact, I wasn’t even the best hockey player in my household growing up! Because of my love of the game, it created in me a work ethic and accountability that has paid massive dividends in my business career. Because of my experience in hockey, I’ve also come to greatly understand that being a great teammate does not always mean showing up on the score sheet. It means understanding your role, doing everything you can to be the best at it, and always being there for your teammates when they need you.
I struggled when I lost hockey at 23 years old in a way that is hard to put into words. It took a lot of pain and suffering on my part to get through that transition away from the game and reapply myself to the business world the same way I did to playing hockey. But once I figured that out and I understood that knowing who you are, knowing what’s important to you, surrounding yourself with the right people, and working hard on the right things to be successful is the secret to success not just in hockey, but in life, I had to give that gift to others. That is why I started Shift Groupto help others understand that what they do in uniform matters more than they realize for life after it, they just need to understand how and why. That’s what they get from our team.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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