New England Hockey Journal catches up with San Jose Sharks left wing, John Leonard, out of UMass. Key facts Teams: San Jose Sharks; UMass Minutemen Hometown: Amherst, Mass. Position: LW Shoots: Left Size: 5-11, 183 Age: 23 Notable: Selected 182nd in 2018 NHL draft by Sharks. Made NHL debut, recorded … [Read more...]
How Frank Ireland is embracing the challenges of the NAHL
In his earliest years, Frank Ireland hated hockey, or so he’s been told by his parents, Tracey Messina and Frank. He certainly doesn’t recall feeling that way. In fact, the now-20-year-old forward from Longmeadow, Mass., loves the sport so much that he’s leaving his cozy corner of the country in … [Read more...]
Flashback: Andover’s Shane Lachance nabbed by Edmonton
Shane Lachance was at home in Andover, Mass., with family and friends, looking down, when suddenly one of his buddies jumped up and started yelling. Almost instantly, everyone else in the room started cheering. Lachance lifted his gaze, smiled and exclaimed, “Oh, my God! Wow!” Lachance’s name was on … [Read more...]
New Englanders racked up the points during a season of resilience in the USHL
Completing the 2020-21 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t a simple task for the United States Hockey League, but the circuit succeeded. By May’s end, the USHL will have done what it wasn’t able to do a year ago: host the Clark Cup final. Throughout this season and the playoffs, players from … [Read more...]
Hangin’ Out With … Mike Hardman
NEHJ catches up with Chicago Blackhawks left wing Mike Hardman out of Boston College. You played two seasons (2019-21) at Boston College. What were your expectations going in and how do they compare to the reality of playing for the Eagles? “Going into school, I didn’t know what it was going to be … [Read more...]
BU commit Tyler Boucher out to perfect the power game
There’s a reason why Tyler Boucher is making waves in the hockey world as a right wing and not as a goaltender like his father, Brian, a native of Woonsocket, R.I., who patrolled the crease in the National Hockey League for 13 seasons. “My mom (Melissa) was like, ‘No way! We’re not doing that … [Read more...]
