Incoming Boston College freshman center Michael Posma is coming off of a strong season and ready to take on the challenge of Hockey East.
The former Omaha Lancers standout is from Pomona, N.Y., but has plenty of ties to New England beyond the commitment to the Eagles. He played prep hockey for the Kent School Lions before leaving for the USHL and Cedar Rapids for the 2019-20 season.
“I spent a lot of time in (my home) gym to get stronger and gained about 20 pounds after the pandemic," Posma told New England Hockey Journal during a break in action at a recent hockey showcase in Foxboro. “That was probably the biggest difference from my first year — being bigger, stronger and being able to shoot the puck harder and being able to play with those big boys in that league.”
Posma brings a package of hard skill, high effort and toughness to the mix. Whatever he might not possess in dynamic speed, he makes up for with his vision and a knack for getting to loose pucks and making things happen when he has possession.
With Cedar Rapids unable to play the 2020-21 season due to damage done to their rink by a freak wind storm last August, Posma was taken by the Tri-City Storm in the USHL dispersal draft. He got off to a good start but battled some injuries and when healthy again, ended up in a trade to in-state rival Omaha. While there, Posma found himself in one of the tightest races for the postseason he has ever experienced at any level.
“I think I’m most proud of the way we battled all year as a team,” he said. “Even in the middle of the season, you would see that there were only three or four points that separated first place from fifth place (in the Western Conference) and that’s making the playoffs or not making the playoffs. Every game felt like a playoff game in Omaha, so just the way our team was able to stick together and battle through some tough times with suspensions and injuries and finish second in the West was pretty awesome. Omaha made me a better player and I can’t thank the coaches and players enough for the great experiences I had.”
Posma’s superb hands and shot make him a threat to score whenever the puck is on his stick, but he also showed a knack for clutch play. In the final three games of the regular season, with his team needing to win out to earn a playoff spot, he scored a hat trick at home against the archrival Lincoln Stars and finished with five goals in three games, earning USHL forward of the week honors. His first career three-goal game at that level was a special night because his billet family in Cedar Rapids drove out to Nebraska to watch him do it.
After finishing out the season with 13 goals (four game-winners) and 26 points in 36 contests with the Lancers (14-15-29 in 43 games combined with Tri-City), Posma heads to Boston College with a lot of confidence. BC was able to secure Posma after he initially committed to the Air Force Academy playing Midget AAA hockey with the North Jersey Avalanche.
“As I got older I felt that Air Force might not have been the best fit for me,” he said. “Going to Boston College was always my dream school growing up and playing in Boston with the Westchester Express. Now, going there, I’m super excited and can’t wait to get started. This summer is very important for whatever I want to do when I get there as a freshman, so I’m working hard to focus on building my lower body and leg strength. I need to get stronger so I can be better down low and be a faster skater.”
The speed of Hockey East will likely take some adjustment time for Posma, but one thing he has working in his favor is the natural nose for the net and ability to make plays with the puck.
“Even when I was younger I scored a lot of goals and points,” said Posma. “If you work on getting to the front of the net and tip pucks or get your stick on rebounds or outbattle the defenders who are there, you might come away with two goals. And a goal scored off a rebound counts the same as a highlight-reel goal scored on a breakaway. So, I’m not the flashiest player but I score a lot of goals in front of the net. It’s not easy, but if you outwork the defender in front of the net and are willing to shoot the puck, good things happen.”
Whether Posma will be able to translate his offensive game into instant production remains to be seen, but he understands that being a complete hockey player is what will open the door for him to earn the opportunities every student-athlete wants.
“Don’t just think that you’re going to cheat and just play offensive hockey,” he said for the benefit of younger, aspiring players who want to reach the highest levels. “Some of the best scoring chances you’ll get are a product of making the right plays in your defensive zone and then being around the net and working hard all over the ice instead of just inside the offensive zone.”
Watch for Posma to find a way to make an impact at the Heights this season. He’s been able to do it at every level.
