With many hockey players lacing up the skates at a very early age, having a father who played the game himself growing up can provide a boost.
That is the case for quite a few of the top prep school players in New England, including Dexter Southfield defenseman Ben Meehan. The Walpole, Mass., native quietly has become one of the top blueliners in the region. Much of the foundation for his success can be tracked back to his father, Scott Meehan, who played collegiately at UMass Lowell.
“My dad has been the most influential person in my hockey career. He’s coached me growing up. He taught me the game, and he’s been so supportive over the years. I can’t thank him enough,” said the younger Meehan, who has verbally committed to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“I’ve been fortunate enough growing up to go to a bunch of games at Lowell each season. I’ve fallen in love with it. When I was lucky enough to get an offer from them, it was a no-brainer to commit there,” said Meehan.
Meehan logged as many minutes as any Dexter defenseman this season as the team finished the regular season with a record of 21-3-4. The team earned the fifth seed in the NEPSAC Elite 8 tournament, meaning a first-round battle at St. Sebastian’s.
“We just need to stick to our game. We’ve been playing really well. If we can keep playing the way we’ve been playing, we should be all right,” said Meehan.
Meehan is one of eight defensemen who have seen significant ice time on the Dexter blue line this season. While senior center John Farinacci gets much of the accolades as a potential top-three-round pick in June’s NHL Entry Draft, it’s been the defense and goaltending that has separated the team from many of its contemporaries.
“We’re just a hard-working team. We’re really deep up front, on the back end, and, most importantly, we have the best goaltender (Derek Mullahy) in New England,” Meehan commented.
The depth means practices can be fierce as players are fighting for ice time. But that’s a good thing, according to Meehan. “It’s awesome. It makes for competitive practices. Everyone just does their part,” he said.
Meehan has seen his offensive production increase in each of his three seasons at Dexter, but this year has been the most dramatic. After registering just nine assists as a sophomore, he has eight goals and 19 assists this season.
“We just have a great group of forwards. I try to move the puck up to them. They’ve been doing a great job. I try to play with confidence, which helps at both ends of the ice,” Meehan explained.
Before getting to Lowell, Meehan hopes to continue working on his offensive contributions from the blue line. One way he’s looking to do that is by gaining more deception.
“I think deception on the blue line, so I make sure I can get shots through to the net,” he said when asked of what he’s looking to work on prior to arrival as a college hockey player.
Still, Meehan is aware that his bread and butter is with playing a solid game defensively and having the trust of his coaching staff in all zones and situations.
“Reliable defensively,” said Meehan when asked to describe his style of play. “I’m hard working. I just move the puck up. I don’t try to do too much. I hope to be reliable in my own zone then jump up into the play and create a little offense as well.”
At Dexter, Meehan has been fortunate to play for a coaching staff that all played college hockey. Head coach Dan Donato played at Boston University, while assistant coaches Bill Kelleher and Brian McColgan played at Dartmouth and St. Lawrence, respectively.
“The coaches have really helped me simplify my game. As long as I can simplify my game, I can have success. I can’t try to do too much,” said Meehan.
Meehan isn’t the only player on the Dexter squad whose fathers played college hockey. Defensemen John and Matt Fusco’s father Mark Fusco won the 1983 Hobey Baker Memorial Award while playing for Harvard. Their uncle, Scott Fusco, won the same award as a senior for the Crimson three years later.
First-line left wing Chase McInnis’ father, Marty McInnis, played college hockey at Boston College before enjoying a long pro career that spanned over 800 games in the NHL.
The lineage doesn’t stop there. Dexter’s first-round opponent, the Arrows of St. Sebastian’s, have their fair share of players whose fathers played the game at a high level. Forwards Liam and Brendan Gorman’s father Sean played at Princeton and was a draft pick of the Boston Bruins. Center Tim Delay’s father Tim and uncle Mike both played for Boston College, the same school he’s committed to. Sophomore Jack Hughes’ father Kent played at Middlebury and is now a well-known NHLPA agent. Left wing JP Milbury’s father Mike Milbury played at Colgate before a long career as a player and head coach with the Boston Bruins before moving on to be the general manager of the New York Islanders.
Another top prep team, Lawrence Academy, has quite a few players whose fathers competed at a high level. The Spartans enter the postseason as the third seed in the Stuart/Corkery Elite 8.
First-line left Connor Sweeney’s father Bob Sweeney was an All-American at Boston College before moving onto a pro career with the Boston Bruins. Second-line center David Sacco’s father, also David Sacco, was a high-scoring forward at Boston University. His uncle, Joe Sacco, is the current assistant coach of the Boston Bruins. Defenseman Braden Doyle’s dad, Tim, played at Merrimack, and left wing Riley Duran’s dad played and coached at Plattsburgh State. Salisbury’s Luke Krys of Ridgefield, Conn., is brother of BU defenseman Chad Krys and son of former Terrier Mark Krys.
Sacco, a first year prep player who formerly skated for St. John's Prep, has scored eight of his 13 goals in the past 18 games. After an initial adjustment period, he's come on strong for the the Spartans.
"Obviously it was a big step. It's a faster pace. It took me some time to adjust. I feel like I'm producing now and the team has been clicking," said Sacco, who hails from Middleton, Mass.
In addition to Sacco's ability to score goals, his physical presence and ability to bring energy to the lineup has been a valuable asset for Robbie Barker's club. His willingness to throw his body around isn't a new thing. It's something he's taken pride in for a few years now.
"I wasn't always the most skilled guy. I wanted to do something to get noticed. I've tried to model my game after Tom Wilson. He runs around and hits people, but he produces, too," said Sacco.
His father has helped him with many parts of his hockey game, including his compete level and hockey sense.
"My dad has always told me to go out there like it's the Stanley Cup, whether it's a game or practice. You never know who is watching. He's just helped me with the minor details and told me to work as hard as I can," Sacco commented.
It's not tough to notice Sacco. He'll be the one flying around hitting everything that's moving on the other team. There's also a good likelihood he'll be driving the net with an explosive skating stride and burying a shot that comes off his stick with zip.
The prep school hockey championship trophies will be awarded Sunday, March 3, at Sullivan Arena on the campus of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.
