If battling adversity was the No. 1 requirement to make it to the NHL, then Aaron Titcomb already would be playing there. As it is, the fact that the Charlestown, Mass., native played D-1 at Merrimack and is now entering his second season of playing minor league pro hockey is pretty incredible when you hear his story. Since he was born, the challenges he has faced have been significant, but he hasn’t allowed them to become an excuse. If anything, he has used them to show the hockey world how strong and determined he is to make it.
Titcomb, 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, is a right-shot defenseman who honed his game for the USHPL’s Islanders Hockey Club, Salisbury Prep and Brewster Academy. A four-time Hockey East All-Academic Team selection for Merrimack, he also earned Distinguished Scholar status. Last season, he played 44 games with the ECHL’S Wheeling Nailers.
Recently, I had the chance to meet Aaron, and, similar to his coaches, came away very impressed with what I experienced.
Billy Jaffe: You have faced a lot of adversity in your life, in your hockey life. How has that helped develop you as a player, but more importantly as a person?
