When Patrick Moynihan was 12 years old, he made a fateful decision. He was going to pursue a career as a hockey player.
And as the now 18-year-old right wing prepares for his freshman season at Providence College after being selected 158th overall in the 2019 National Hockey League draft by the New Jersey Devils, there’s no denying that his decision was the right one.
Just ask Case McCarthy, who was teammates with the 5-11, 180-pounder the past two seasons at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
“As a hockey player, Patrick has become an all-around guy,” said McCarthy, a Boston University bound defenseman from Clarence Center, N.Y., who was also drafted by the Devils in the 2019 NHL draft, 118th overall. “He can beat you in any way. He can put the puck in the back of the net. He can hurt you physically. That kid is a bull; he’ll run you through the wall. He’ll skate around you. He’ll do whatever it takes for the team to win, and he has an incredible work ethic.”
An athletic kid who loved hockey from the moment his dad, Michael, first brought him to the rink when he was three years old, Moynihan, a Millis, Mass., native, also enjoyed playing baseball and football. His affection for those two sports was passed on to him from his father, who played them at Columbia University.
Of the two, baseball was the greater threat to overtake his passion for hockey.
“My dad always loved baseball, and I played it a lot when I was younger,” Moynihan remembered. “He was a pitcher and I was, too, and when I was a kid we were always pitching in our yard. I enjoyed playing Little League and club baseball.”
Moynihan chuckled and added, “I don’t know if it was his dream for me to play baseball or not, but he taught me a lot through baseball, and it transitioned into hockey.”
Moynihan’s hockey journey kicked into a higher gear when he skated from second grade through eighth grade for the Minuteman Flames, where he was coached by Mike Moore.
“Coach Moore taught us the values of being a good hockey player, but an even better person,” Moynihan said. “Being a better person was the most important thing. You have to be a good player who gives back and is good to his teammates.”
Moore also insisted his players have fun.
“He always came to the rink with a smile on his face,” Moynihan recalled. “He put the joy of hockey into us, and I’m never going to let it go. I still talk to him to this day, and if he’s not the most influential person in my life, then definitely my most influential coach.”
Following his time with the Flames, Moynihan suited up for two seasons at Noble and Greenough School. In 2017, the right-handed shooter took his biggest step to date when he joined the NTDP.
The move to Michigan initially was difficult.
“I’m someone who loves being a homebody and loves being around his family and friends,” Moynihan said. “Those first few months were hard for me, but it made me mature pretty fast. It turned into a positive where I became a man at a young age, and that benefited me a lot.”
In addition to not seeing his dad, Moynihan also missed his mom, Patrice. And even though his parents were halfway across the country, their impact on him was still felt while he was toiling in the program.
“My mom influenced me a lot when I was growing up,” Moynihan said. “She drove me to the rink every day for practices and games. She had to go to work early sometimes or miss some work to go to games and tournaments. My dad and my mom have dealt with a lot of adversity throughout their lives, and they taught me how to get over challenges. They are always there to talk to and talk me through stuff. I appreciate them a lot. And I’m fortunate that they were able to make some games from time to time while I was out there.”
Moynihan also wasn’t able to see his three sisters, Corey, Cayley and his twin, Ciara.
“My twin sister has been through a lot with me,” he said. “She’s always there for me and cheering me on. If I’m going through a hard time, she has my back, sending me a text or a FaceTime call to cheer me up. And my two older sisters have looked after me since I was little. They’ve passed on what they learned growing up and have helped me out with things I go through.”
Moynihan overcame his homesickness by leaning on his teammates, who were all the same age and also away from home.
“Every time we were struggling, we talked to each other and helped each other out,” he said. “It helped a lot that we were all going through the same thing.”
By the time Moynihan graduated from the NTDP, where he recorded 32 points (16-16—32) in 61 games in 2017-18 with the under-17 team and 46 points (19-27—46) in 64 contests in 2018-19 with the under-18 club, his early struggles were ancient history.
“Patrick’s personality really came out during his two years there,” McCarthy asserted. “The way he acts, he’s very mature and responsible. At the same time, he knows when to have fun and knows when to joke around with the guys and just enjoy himself. He’s a character guy who’s awesome to have around. I’ve been able to learn from him and take pieces not only from his game, but also him as a person.”
Said Moynihan: “I wouldn’t say I was shy before the program, but I definitely wasn’t as outgoing as I am now. Going to a new school and meeting all those new people, it’s easier to talk to people now. I can talk to anybody and start a conversation with them. It’s a lot easier and less nerve-wracking. My teammates were awesome and being with them every day for two years made us better people.”
Being around each other also improved their play on the ice. In fact, Moynihan’s teammates were so skilled – one of them was Jack Hughes, who was nabbed first overall by New Jersey in the 2019 NHL draft -- that he didn’t get a chance to truly show off his talents in the eyes of Devils director of amateur scouting Paul Castron.
“Sometimes kids in the program get pegged in certain roles, but they actually have more skill than they get to show the scouting world,” Castron explained. “If he would’ve played on a prep school team or a United States Hockey League team that wasn’t as loaded as their team, he might’ve been more of an offensive player. He’s got skill; he’s strong on his skates; and he’s a good competitor.”
Moynihan is excited to realize his potential at Providence.
“The sky is the limit for me, really,” he said. “There were a lot of great players on our team at the program, and I got buried a little bit. The next few years at Providence I can show how good I can be offensively. People look at me right now and my defensive game and my two-way game, but I try to be a two-way guy who can contribute offensively. I can make a lot of plays and open up a lot of ice for my teammates, and I’m excited to show people that.”
Moynihan is also delighted about getting the opportunity to shine against some of his former teammates in upcoming college hockey battles.
“They’re opponents now,” he said. “I can’t take it easy on them.”
That’s implying he did previously, which wasn’t always the case.
“I’ve taken a few hits from him in practice,” McCarthy chuckled. “It’s not fun when Moynihan is coming down on you.”
That’s because Moynihan has been on a mission for over half a decade – to make a living playing the ice game.
