How would you describe yourself as a player? Are there any NHL players you emulate?
“I think of myself as an offensive defenseman. I like to create plays and get up in the rush. The guys I like to watch are smaller defensemen — Tyson Barrie, Torey Krug, guys like that.”
You obviously had a lot of local choices being from New York, so what NHL team was your favorite growing up? Off that, do you have a favorite hockey memory from prior to college?
“I was a Ranger fan. When the Rangers made the Stanley Cup (in 2014) against the Los Angeles Kings, I went to one of the home games at Madison Square Garden. It was pretty cool to see a Stanley Cup Final atmosphere, so that definitely sticks out to me.”
Your first Harvard team won the ECAC title and went to the Frozen Four, but last year’s missed NCAAs after losing to Clarkson in the semis in Lake Placid. How much do you use last March as motivation to make this season better?
“Having that experience freshman year, going that far and coming up just short wasn’t the way we planned it. That stung. Last year, the way we lost (to Clarkson) was tough. It motivates you to come back and repeat that success we had when I was a freshman, so I think that’s definitely the goal going in now.”
In what area of your game have you seen the most improvement entering this year?
“For me, I’ve tried to improve defensively over the past year, trying to get bigger and stronger. Being a smaller defenseman, you have to have a good stick and be in a good position. That’s something I’ve been working on.”
What is it like to play for Ted Donato? You also worked with Paul Pearl over your first two years at Harvard before he became the associate head coach at BU. How have each of them helped you?
“Coach Donato obviously has a ton of experience playing in the NHL and the Olympics. He’s had so much success, winning a national championship, so I always listen to what he has to say and kind of picking his brain a little bit is something we all try to do. Coach Pearl was pretty helpful for me defensively and helped me round out my game to become more of a complete player. Both of them have definitely helped me a lot through the years here.”
What has Coach (Donato) helped you work on the most?
“Coach has definitely helped me out with shooting from the points and being able to find lanes to get the puck on net. I’m kind of a pass-first kind of guy but having a shot mentality is something he’s helped me with.”
Jumping into college hockey as a defenseman is obviously a huge challenge, but you were exposed to some great players through the NTDP and other USA Hockey experiences. What is the biggest thing you learned to help make your adjustment easier?
“My season with the NTDP helped me a lot. Like you said, you get to play with some great players, guys who are in the NHL now, and you get experience against college teams. It all makes the adjustment easier, understanding the speed and physicality it takes to play college hockey and be successful. Getting those games at the NTDP was big for me to help ease the transition to Harvard.”
Key Facts
- Teams: Harvard; U.S. National Team Development Program
- Hometown: Jericho, N.Y. | Pos.: D | Year: Junior
- Noteworthy: CCM/AHCA All-America, All-ECAC and All-Ivy First Team twice each; led Harvard in assists during each of his first two seasons; played on the U.S. National Junior Team in 2017-18, winning a bronze medal; as a freshman, ECAC Rookie of the Year, Ivy League Rookie of the Year and a Walter Brown Award semifinalist
Favorites
- Pregame meal: Pasta
- Favorite opposing rink: Lynah Rink at Cornell. “It’s just a pretty fun atmosphere because everyone comes and throws the fish at us. It’s awesome to play when the crowd is into it.”
- Food: Sushi
- Vacation spot: “My grandpa has a place in West Palm Beach. We go there pretty much every year and play some golf.”
- Musician: Drake
- Song: “Ladders” by Mac Miller
- Actor: Jim Carrey
- TV show: “Family Guy”
- Video game: NBA 2K
- Sport other than hockey: Golf
- Sports team: New York Jets
- NHL player: Erik Karlsson
- Non-hockey athlete: Steph Curry
Equipment
- Stick: CCM
- Helmet: Warrior
- Gloves: Warrior
- Skates: Bauer
