Our New England Hockey Journal College Commitment Q&A series continues with a Shrewsbury, Mass., native that joined a long list of players to recently commit to Northeastern.
T.J. Walsh has started his third year in the United States Hockey League strong as he ranks fifth in the league and second on the Des Moines Buccaneers with 27 points in 23 games, including a team-high 20 assists. Originally a Boston College commit, Walsh spent his first two USHL seasons with Cedar Rapids after playing the 2015-16 year at Cushing Academy.
Walsh discusses feeling at home with one of the region’s top Division 1 programs, his growing confidence and strong start as a veteran in the USHL, and more with our Joshua Kummins.
How would you describe yourself as a player? Are there NHL players you try to emulate?
I think I'm a smaller, shifty forward who works well in small areas, likes to make plays, has a knack around the net and can finish.
As far as NHL players I model my game after, Patrick Kane and Johnny Gaudreau I've watched recently. Obviously, Johnny is a younger player, but I've watched Patrick Kane growing up. I think I have a similar playing style to Gaudreau, so watching him play for Calgary makes him someone I like to emulate my game after.
You committed to Northeastern just earlier this week. What was the determining factor in choosing the Huskies?
There were a lot of factors that contributed to my decision, but if I had to boil it down to one I'd say the coaching staff at Northeastern is second-to-none. You've seen it with how they've been doing the last few years, becoming one of the top programs in the area. It's an exciting time to be heading there. I can't wait to get there next year.
What stood out the most through your discussions with Jim Madigan and his staff regarding Northeastern, your potential role with the team, etc.?
I've been talking to them over the last few weeks since I made the decision to decommit. They've just been talking about how they like my playing style and they think I fit in well. They play an offensive game there, and that's obviously my game. Defense is important, but if you can spend as much time in the offensive zone as possible, it gives you a better chance to win. Their systems in the offensive zone, how they run the power play, and how they see me fitting into the lineup is exciting.
Was staying local ― either in Hockey East or New England as a whole ― important to you?
It's awesome to stay close to home. I wouldn't say it was a deciding factor, but it's definitely a little plus having my family right down the road to come watch me. That's obviously important. I wasn't opposed to playing close to home and playing in the Beanpot, so things are definitely a plus with going to Northeastern.
What other schools did you consider?
I talked with a lot of schools that have great hockey programs. Miami, UMass is doing really well right now, UMass Lowell, UNH, Michigan. They all have great programs and are awesome places, but I just felt really at home visiting Northeastern. I felt like that was somewhere where I could grow as a person and as a player, and I just thought I fit in really well there.
You’re off to a great start in the USHL with nearly a point per game this season. What would you consider as the keys to your success so far?
I'm playing with a lot of confidence this year, which is huge. Playing in this league is tough because there are a lot of great players, so whenever you can play with confidence and use your teammates as much as you can, it helps you be successful. I've had great success with my teammates and linemates throughout the season so far. They make it easier for me. We have a lot of guys on this team who can make plays but also score goals. We have a lot of depth as a team, which helps individual success for everyone.
Who have you been playing with this season?
For most of the year, I've been playing with Matt Brown, who is also off to a great start. (Brown is a UMass Lowell commit from Woodridge, N.J.) He's a great player. I think we have a similar style of play, but we're also a little different. He's really good at putting the puck in the net, he has great vision, and he can skate really well.
College coaches often talk about how producing in the USHL can translate pretty directly to the college level. Having watched the college game growing up, what do you see as most similar to the styles of play?
A lot of players in college come through this league, so you know they have the same experience I've had. It's an extremely fast league. Everyone is older, stronger, and a lot faster, so it's a good stepping stone because you get to play against older and stronger kids. It helps you develop for that next level. It's also a physical league, which hockey is at the next level. I think just playing here and having this experience will have me prepared for the next level.
Has, simply, your experience in the USHL over the past couple seasons helped?
Yeah, I definitely think so. Being around the league, playing far away from home, playing away games six hours away, it all helps you. I'm used to it at this point. It's really just helped me grow as a player and as a person, preparing for games and being a good leader in the locker room for the younger guys as well.
There are a few New Englanders on your Des Moines team, including fellow Northeastern commit Mike Kesselring (New Hampton, N.H.). Is that comforting while you’re away from home?
It's nice having guys from the area. It's always the Massachusetts and New England guys against the Minnesota guys; that's an ongoing battle we joke around about. But it's obviously nice to have those guys who are close to home and familiar with Boston. We have a great group of guys, so it makes being away from home a lot easier. That's definitely nice to have those guys there.
