Dynamic duos aren’t created overnight.
There are a lot of reasons two hockey players click together on the ice: Trust is one. Also, talent and skill sets that complement each other.
In any case, the relationships always trace back to a starting point. In the case of Curry College sophomores Mic Curran (Arlington, Mass.) and Alex Ochterbeck, it began on the day they met as freshmen.
“It was cool,” said Curran. “We ended up in the same group at orientation. We got to hang out for a couple of days and got to know each other a little bit. We texted Coach and said, we know there’s a lot of freshmen, but we’d like to room together.
“We developed chemistry off the ice and it makes it more comfortable on the ice.”
Linemates for almost two full years — for the most part with junior Viktor Jansson rounding out the trio — Curran and Ochterbeck boosted Curry to near the top of the standings in the Commonwealth Coast Conference.
Curry finished at 17-6-3 overall, 12-4-2 within the conference, good for third place.
Last year, the team’s production engine was fueled by seniors Zach White and Lionel Mauron, who combined for 73 points. But Curran (9-15-24) and Ochterbeck (7-10-17) were among the secondary scoring leaders, something they credited, in part, to building a relationship as roommates.
“We were always talking hockey and chit-chatting about what we could do on the ice,” said Ochterbeck. “Definitely being roommates helped last year.”
This year, the two were ranked in the top 12 nationally in points when the season was shut down. Curran finished the season leading the team in scoring with 11 goals, 35 assists for 46 points in 26 games, while Ochterbeck was second on the team with 15 goals, 20 assists and 35 points in 26 games.
“The continuity helps a lot, but with the two of them being sophomores, you can see the jump from being freshmen,” said coach T.J. Manastersky. “And they’re both very smart players and they’ve figured things out. When you’re smart, skilled and work hard, that’s a pretty good recipe.”
They weren't the only duo in the region powering their teams. Freshman Zach Mazur (15-18-33) and junior Jake Simons (14-17-31) clicked for first-place Endicott (22-5).
While Curran and Jansson are the playmakers on the line, Ochterbeck has shown a knack for finishing.
“Alex is one of the most talented goal scorers I’ve ever played with,” said Curran. “If he’s in the slot with the puck, it’s almost always a goal. And Viktor just plays with eyes in the back of his head. He’ll find your stick wherever it is.”
Each found Curry in his own way. For the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Ochterbeck, who grew up in Dallas, the city of Boston was part of the allure.
“I always liked Boston,” he said. “I’d been coming up for tournaments and it’s a real good city. I was looking for spots where I could play in and around Boston, and I liked Curry.”
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Curran, whom Manastersky describes as a “late bloomer,” played four years at Arlington High School and got rewarded, getting to celebrate the Spy Ponders’ Super 8 championship as a senior. He went on to play for the Seacoast Spartans and had a family connection to the school: His cousin, Michael Curran, skated for Curry and captained the team as a senior.
“I went on a tour with him and he really sold it,” said Curran.
Ochterbeck, Curran and Jansson (10-17-27) accounted for nearly 40 percent of the team’s points. Senior power-play threat Billy Vizzo (15-16-31) also had a strong season.
A January trip to Hungary, Slovakia and Austria was “a special time for everybody,” said Manastersky, and featured a between-the-legs shootout goal by Ochterbeck that made its way onto ESPN SportsCenter’s top 10 plays.
“It’s a very close team,” said Curran. “A lot of credit goes to TJ for bringing in the right people.”
Also for granting a roommate request that’s helped form a dynamic duo.
@MikeZhe603
