How special was it to win the state championship as a junior in 2011 with Connetquot High School, and what lessons did you learn? "High school hockey on Long Island isn’t as big as a lot of other areas, but it was something special. We had worked for it all year. I was a leader on that team and wore a letter (captain’s C) that year (and senior year). The entire year I played to the best of my ability and helped out the younger guys and some of the guys who weren’t as experienced with hockey in general.
"As for lessons, work ethic has stayed with me my entire career, whether it was high school, travel, junior or college. Nothing is ever given to you on a silver platter; you have to earn everything, every opportunity. That’s what’s stayed with me my whole life. I’ve always had to earn my ice, and that’s continued with me to this day."
