What caused you to love hockey?
“I grew up in North Reading, Mass., and lived on a cul-de-sac, and I looked out my window as a kid and saw all the kids playing roller hockey. It started off with roller hockey. Then that winter a couple of the kids took me out to the pond, and ever since then I’ve had a passion for the game.
"I really have to credit the Brandano family and the Calos family for always being there for me and introducing me to the game. I begged my parents (Fran and Brian) every day to take me to the pond to play hockey. I fell in love with it at first sight.”
What are some of your favorite hockey memories from when you were growing up?
“I moved to Florida for six years and played hockey in Coral Springs at Saveology Iceplex (now the Florida Panthers IceDen). There wasn’t great competition in Florida for my team, so we had to fly out every weekend to find the best competition, whether it was in Chicago or in Canada — all around the world. I remember hanging out with my teammates and playing knee hockey in the hotel rooms and the hotel hallways. That was my favorite time in hockey.”
You played two seasons (2016-18) at St. John’s Prep. What stands out about your time there?
“I really loved St. John’s; it was a great place for me to develop. I’m not the tallest kid, and I didn’t think I was ready for prep school hockey my freshman year, but I had a really good opportunity to step in at St. John’s and become a go-to player for them. They helped round out my game.
"I can’t say enough good things about that school. The education is great and the people who go there are so nice and were so helpful for me.”
You then played one season (2018-19) at Kimball Union Academy. What do you remember most about that year?
“That was an unforgettable year. I really have to say thank you to coach Tim Whitehead. When I first met with him, I felt so comfortable with him. He’s a great coach and I really loved him. He helped me understand the game so much more. The way he communicates the game to his players is unbelievable. I never heard another coach express things on the ice in a way that makes so much sense to me. He made me a two-way player rather than just an offensive guy, and I can’t thank him enough for that.
"And winning the Stuart/Corkery Elite 8 championship was something I’ll never forget. That was the threepeat, the school’s third in a row. I couldn’t have done it with a better group of guys.”
This is your first season in the United States Hockey League. What’s it been like?
“I love the speed of the game and the physicality. I’m not the biggest guy out there, but I like to play a fast and physical game and play bigger than I am. The (Sioux Falls) coaching staff has spent a lot of time with me, working on little parts of my game, whether it’s showing me when to use my speed and drive the net or improving my defensive zone coverage. They’ve been so helpful. ... It’s an unbelievable feeling to play at this high-end level of hockey.”
What’s been the toughest challenge you’ve faced so far and how did you overcome it?
“There have been many people who’ve doubted me, telling me I’m too small or not quick enough. I take those things to heart, and every summer I want to prove them wrong. I want to be the fastest kid on the ice. I want to be the strongest.
"That’s been the most difficult thing to hear — someone telling me I can’t do something. I hate to hear that because I don’t think size matters. I think however hard you work is what you are going to get. You can’t control how tall you are, but you can control how hard you work. To overcome people saying that to me all the time is the biggest thing I’ve overcome.”
You’re committed to play for Boston University. What made you want to be a Terrier?
“There’s so much hockey culture in Boston. Growing up, I watched Matt Grzelcyk (Charlestown, Mass.), Charlie McAvoy, Jack Eichel (North Chelmsford, Mass.) play for BU; there are so many great players who have gone through that program. I love the coaching staff with (head coach) Albie O’Connell, (associate head coach) Paul Pearl and (assistant coach) Len Quesnelle. I felt so comfortable with them. The education you get at BU is outstanding. The campus is beautiful. It just felt right the moment I stepped on campus. It’s a top college program, and I’m so thankful they took a chance on me.”
Key facts
Team: Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
Hometown: North Andover, Mass.
Position: Forward
Shoots: Right
Size: 5-foot-8, 155 pounds
Age: 18
Notable: Played in his first USHL season. ... Traded from Sioux Falls to Sioux City on Feb. 25. ... In 46 total games (42 for Sioux Falls, four for Sioux City), had 8 goals and 19 assists for 27 points. ... Before this season, played two seasons at St. John’s Prep (2016-18) and one year at Kimball Union Academy (2018-19). ... Committed to Boston University.
Favorites
Food: Pasta
Movie: “Uncut Gems”
TV show: “The Office”
Actor: Mark Wahlberg
Actress: Jennifer Aniston
Musician: Meek Mill
Book: “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Video game: Fortnite
Sport other than hockey: Baseball
Non-hockey athlete: Tom Brady
Type of goal: “Game 7, Stanley Cup Final, overtime. I’m a fast guy, so I get the puck and go down the right wing, use my speed to the outside, and cutting from right to left, I go forehand to backhand and roof it.”
Equipment
Helmet: Bauer
Stick: Bauer
Gloves: Bauer
Skates: Bauer
