In his four years at Army West Point, Dominic Franco learned a few things about overcoming challenges, on and off the ice.
So when the Scituate, R.I., native struggled at the start of his rookie season with the Rochester Americans earlier this year, he knew what to do.
“He was in over his head at training camp and instead of letting it discourage him, he just kept working. Quietly, he went about his business,’’ said Rochester coach Seth Appert.
“As I said to my assistants, one thing I know about kids at the (service) academies, he’s faced a lot harder challenges than what we’re going to throw at him. Not getting as much ice time as he wants is not the hardest thing in his life. You feel confident in their ability to handle adversity, take it the right way and then go about their business in a way that is going to give them a chance for success.’’
Franco’s nose-to-the-grindstone approach paid off. He eventually carved out a niche on the Americans’ fourth line, finishing with nine points in 23 games in the pandemic-shortened AHL season.
That the 6-foot-5, 218-pound center had the opportunity to play pro hockey at all was somewhat unexpected.
As Franco headed into the second half of his senior season in 2020, it appeared that his career as a competitive hockey player was nearing an end. He was on track to be commissioned as an Army second lieutenant and to fulfill his five-year military obligation after graduating.
It took a change in policy at the highest levels of the federal government in Washington to open the door for Franco and for other Army athletes. A select few are now allowed, with approval of the defense secretary, to delay their service obligation while playing professional sports.
"He has earned this opportunity through his hard work and determination while representing the Corps of Cadets on the ice,’’ said Mike Buddie, West Point director of athletics, in April 2020 after Franco signed with Rochester. “After spending 47 months training to serve our country, I am thrilled for Dom to have this opportunity to continue his hockey career, and am convinced this will only make him a better officer when that time comes."
Franco appreciates the efforts of those who helped him navigate the process.
“I was fortunate enough to get some help from the people at West Point and down in Washington to go through the process of making sure everything was in order so I could go play. I’m really grateful. It’s been a dream come true,’’ said Franco.
Always a top player in his age group in New England, he played for a very strong 1996 Providence Capitals teams as a youngster. His teammates included Zach Giuttari (Brown/Hartford Wolf Pack), Ryan Dmowski (UMass Lowell/Hartford Wolf Pack) and Bryan Lemos (Providence College/Kansas City of ECHL).
When Franco made his recruiting visit to West Point while attending Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire, it was love at first sight.
“Right away I knew that was what I wanted. When you see it for the first time, it just takes your breath away,’’ said Franco.
At Army, he finished with 45-52-97 totals in 141 games. He made the Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie team as a freshman and was a second-team All-Conference selection as a senior.
Cadets are allowed to leave West Point after two years if they choose. Franco could have left at that point to turn pro but didn’t even consider it.
“I had a desire to get a degree from West Point and all the things that go with it. It wasn’t even a consideration for me to leave. Only so many people can say they’ve got a West Point degree. It would be real tough to throw that away, in my opinion,’’ he said.
Franco acknowledges that the adjustment to the AHL from Atlantic Hockey was huge.
“I was swimming with sinkers on my feet for the first couple of weeks of training camp. It’s definitely a big jump. It’s crazy how different it is, how physically demanding it is,’’ he said.
Going from top-line, scoring forward in college to a bottom-six role in the AHL required him to change his approach.
“In the beginning of the year, I was still molded into the guy at Army, where I could have my way with guys. Maybe a third of the way through the year, I had three or four straight scratches. I shifted my whole play style,’’ he said.
“I was so much more physically committed — hard — and just kind of ferocious. It turned into more ice time and more points and more opportunities for me. It was molding my mindset to be that hungry every shift.”
Appert, who was head coach for many years at RPI before moving on to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, said Franco “showed a tremendous amount of growth. It took him a little bit of time to get used to the pace and the on-the-puck competitiveness that is necessary.
“A lot of guys would get easily frustrated not playing a ton early on, and he didn’t. He just kept working, kept getting better.’’
Franco’s college teammates have moved on in their Army careers, with several stationed at field artillery school at Fort Sill, Okla.
“Most of them are at their actual duty stations. Mine was supposed to be Fort Hood, right outside of Austin, Texas. A lot of them have already taken command of a platoon,’’ said Franco, who majored in systems and decision sciences.
He is hoping to continue to play before putting his degree to use, but he will have to again get permission from the Army.
“I sent in my packet to the Army. It’s kind of like a checkup, making sure that I’m doing everything I can to promote West Point, the Army and all the good things I learned there and all the good things they’ve allowed me to do,’’ he said.
“I can’t sign a contract until I hear back from the Army. Hopefully I’m back in Rochester for next year. I really loved playing there and I like the kind of culture they’re starting to develop.’’
If he doesn’t get the green light from the Army to keep on playing, Franco is more than ready to fulfill his military obligation.
“I did make a promise to the Army and I’m fully prepared to keep that,’’ he said.
It’s been a unique path to this point, but Franco wouldn’t trade his experience at West Point for anything.
“Man, I can’t say enough about it — the things you learn there that aren’t even a part of their main focus, their ability to develop leadership qualities and commitment. Now that I’ve gone through the four years, endured the suck and gone through the trouble, powered through everything, my ability to take on adversity, there’s really no task too big for me psychologically now.
“That’s something that, especially in today’s world, is probably a little tough to come by. The people you meet, the connections you make, the opportunities you can get are definitely something that very few places can offer nowadays.’’
