Being a professional athlete is virtually every youngster’s dream. In order for that dream to come through there are many variables that must fall in place for that to happen. For starters for have to have talent. With that, talent comes hard work, which will enable you to better your skills every time you step on the ice. However, in order to better your skills, you must have strong instructional support in order to reach your goals.

Growing up, I had to make the same decisions that every youngster must make. Where do I play this summer? This program looks like a better fit, but all my friends are going to a different one, should I do that one as well? After thinking about it now I know that you make friends wherever you play. When I made the decision to become a part of the Massachusetts’s Satellite Program, I knew that I was going to get a great opportunity to learn from some of the top local collegiate coaches and some of the best New England based players. I was a member of the program for two seasons where I learned that it takes a lot more than just strong play on the ice to become a top athlete in the sport of ice hockey. Off-ice training and an attitude that you want to become the best is vital in order to fulfill those dreams and the Satellite Program is the way to get that understanding.

The two years I spent in the Satellite Program helped me get my name out to Division I hockey coaches while I played my regular seasons with Thayer Academy. Although I was not able to receive a scholarship after my four years at TA, I was given the opportunity to play junior hockey in the United States Hockey League (USHL). Throughout my time spent in juniors, I would constantly try to remember what I had been taught throughout my time at the Satellite Program and how important the off-ice conditioning was in terms of your performance on the ice. That season I played in junior, I started a record 55 games, out of a possible 58 and I know that I was able to do it because I worked so hard that summer during my off-ice workouts. From juniors, I received a scholarship to play for the University of New Hampshire and I knew I had to work even harder to become the best I could be and once again I used my off-ice lessons to better myself.

The University of New Hampshire was an exciting place to play hockey and I was able to play with players that I met through the Satellite Program. This was when I realized that it was not just a coincidence that all these players showed up on the same Division I roster. I strongly believe that they learned the same things that I did and that too helped them to become the best. During my stay at UNH, we went to the Frozen Four twice and the finals once. We won two Hockey East Championships, the first and second in school history. From an individual standpoint I was Co-Hockey East Player of the Year, Second Team All-American, and USA Hockey Player of the Year. After having the college career that I had, I felt like I should give back to the program that had given so much to me. After my graduation in the spring of ’04, I was able to go back to the Satellite Program and be on the teaching side of it all. It was great to see the kids work hard and yet learn what it takes to become the best. What they must realize is that it is not all fun and that it takes a lot of sweat to get where you want to be.

At this time, I am playing in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization and there is not a day that goes by when I do not think about what I can do to make myself a better player. In my perspective, if you are good to the sport, it will be good to you and at this point of my career I can honestly say it has been a pleasure.