Ahead of the 2018-19 season, New England Hockey Journal caught up with Providence junior defenseman Spenser Young, a native of Brentwood, N.H.
Young is set to lead the Friars' quest for a Hockey East title after a breakout sophomore season. He's come a long way since stops in prep hockey with Phillips Exeter Academy and the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
To learn more about Young, check out the interview below.
NEHJ: You’re entering your junior season with the Providence College Friars. What did you learn the most during your first two years?
Young: “I definitely learned how to play defensively and how to play a complete game. Coming out of prep school (Phillips Exeter Academy), juniors (United States Hockey League’s Dubuque Fighting Saints) really taught me the pace, and Providence has taught me how to be a complete player. I may have lacked a little defensively coming in, but the practices and the games have really shaped me defensively.”
NEHJ: How much of a role did Scott Borek, who’s now head coach at Merrimack after being a Friars associate coach for the past three seasons, play for you when you joined Providence? I know you two had a relationship before then.
Young: “I’ve had a personal relationship with Coach Borek for a while. I’ve been really good friends with his sons since I was growing up. I committed to Providence before he was there, but when he came onboard, I was ecstatic. He’s a great coach, and I loved working with him the entire time.”
NEHJ: What did you learn from him during that time?
Young: “He taught the little details, bringing me in for video and showing me things that I didn’t see myself in video or on the ice. He really helped me complete my defensive game.”
NEHJ: What was your “welcome to college hockey” moment?
Young: “It was definitely my first weekend, in a non-conference game against Miami University (Ohio), with the fans and the pace of the game. I was coming off injury and getting back into it the first shift.”
NEHJ: What has been your favorite college moment so far?
Young: “Winning that OT game against Northeastern in the semifinal last season to go to the Hockey East championship. It’s so hard to get there, and I’ve never been more excited than I was after that goal.”
NEHJ: Your team lost to Boston University in the championship game. What was the biggest learning experience you took away from that run and then the two games in the NCAA tournament?
Young: “The biggest learning piece in the Hockey East championship was how important it is to play a complete game. We had a tough game against Northeastern before, and then a heartbreaker against BU. The way we were playing up until the NCAA tournament really showed how good we were last season. We lost to Clarkson two times during the season and just playing them again in the NCAA East Regional semifinal and showing that we could beat them and how much we improved as a team was the cherry on top.”
NEHJ: When you think about the loss to Notre Dame in the NCAA East Regional final, is there a moment that just makes you want to get next season under way already?
Young: “Absolutely. Losing just short of the Frozen Four is always tough, but that last game we worked so hard the entire time, and then they scored late. Any late goal, any bounce that you don’t get, really just makes you want it that much more next year.”
NEHJ: It doesn’t necessarily have to be your favorite moment, but do you have a moment from your first two years that you’ll never forget?
Young: “The guys; I’ve been there for two full years so far — summer school, classes — and you can’t get a better group. We live together, go to class together, and do everything together. When the guys come in as freshmen, the upperclassmen just welcome you. It’s very special.”
NEHJ: What has surprised you the most?
Young: “What’s surprised me the most is how meaningful the games are, not only to the team, but to the school in general. Father (Brian) Shanley, our president, and the staff come in our locker room after games, and we see how much it means to them and the school. It’s pretty cool, and it sticks with me how much people care and how much they do for you.”
NEHJ: Entering your junior year, how will your leadership role change, and what do you want to pass on to the next wave of rookies?
Young: “I can take big steps in a leadership role. For the most part, it’s been more actions, not as much vocally. With the younger core group moving up and the big, skilled freshmen coming in, I think I can be more vocal and help those guys adjust.”
Key facts
• Teams: Providence College Friars, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL), Phillips Exeter Academy
• Hometown: Brentwood, N.H.
• Position: Defenseman | Shoots: Right | Size: 5-10, 175 | Age: 21
• Notable: In first two seasons at Providence, totaled 24 points (5-19-24) in 64 games. Ranked third among Friars defensemen in goals (3) and points (9) in his sophomore season, playing in all 40 matches. Prior to his college career, played two seasons (2014-16) with Dubuque (USHL), recording 32 points (6-26-32) in 102 regular-season games; also appeared in six playoff contests. Before his junior career, played two seasons at Phillips Exeter Academy.
Favorites
• Food: Ice cream (mint chocolate chip)
• Movie: “The first ‘Star Wars’ trilogy.”
• TV show: “Burn Notice”
• Actor: Robert Downey
• Musician: Luke Bryan
• College road arena: Notre Dame (Compton Family Ice Arena)
• Vacation spot: Cape Cod
• Sport other than hockey: Baseball
• Non-hockey athlete: Derek Jeter
• Hockey memory as a kid: “The playoff game when the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011.”
Equipment
• Helmet: Bauer
• Stick: Bauer
• Gloves: Bauer
• Skates: Bauer
