Moving up to the prep school level this season has certainly paid dividends for Plymouth, Mass., native and future University of New Hampshire forward Robert Cronin.
After competing for the Boston Advantage for the past couple of seasons, Cronin has established himself as one of the top scorers in all of New England with 18 goals and a team-high 29 assists in only 25 games for The Gunnery. His squad is ranked sixth in this week’s New England Hockey Journal Prep School Coaches Poll with a 19-4-2 record.
Cronin announced his commitment to play for first-year head coach Mike Souza (Wakefield, Mass.) and the Wildcats earlier this week. He discussed the decision and making the move this season to The Gunnery in our latest Commitment Q&A:
How would you describe yourself as a player? Are there NHL players you try to emulate?
I would describe myself as a cerebral play-maker who can also finish with a great hockey IQ who takes pride in playing a full 200-foot game. I have worked more on developing my skating because that is a big part of the success you have in the game now.
I try to emulate my game after Patrice Bergeron. Being a hometown fan of the Boston Bruins and getting the chance to grow up watching him play, I have studied the details of his game such his playmaking ability, team-first mentality, defensive zone awareness, etc.
What made UNH the right fit for your college career?
After exploring my options and seeing what other programs had to offer me, I decided that playing at UNH would be the best fit for me because I immediately felt at home when I stepped on the campus. The coaching staff demonstrated a high level of integrity and character while recruiting me, and that is the type of staff I want to be coached by. As known by many, the atmosphere and tradition of UNH hockey are extremely rich in their winning ways. I feel honored to be a part of the program.
What did you take away most from your conversations with Mike Souza and his staff?
Mike Souza and his staff were very upfront and honest in how I specifically fit their program. Coach Souza knows what it takes to win and has a strong excitement with his high expectations for the years ahead.
Being a local kid, how did you get introduced to college hockey? What are some of your earliest memories of the game?
Growing up, Hockey East games were where my closest friends and I would enjoy going almost every Friday night. To play Hockey East in the future is a dream come true and leaves an indescribable feeling.
What other schools did you consider? Was staying close to home important to you in the college decision-making process?
I received various Hockey East and ECAC interest. The schools with the most interest at that time were Holy Cross, Brown, Cornell and Providence. Choosing a school close to home was one of the biggest factors in the decision-making process.
You spent the last few years with the Boston Advantage program. How did your time there help you become the player you are today?
Playing in the Tier 1 Elite League with the Boston Advantage was great for my hockey development as every game was a battle against an elite organization. In playing for the Boston Advantage you also get the liberty to develop your skating and skill tremendously with the Lovell Hockey program.
How has moving into prep school hockey helped improve your game?
Making the jump from the Tier 1 League to prep school has been a great decision for my hockey development. The exposure and competitive edge that prep hockey brings every night makes every single game count because of the length of the season. The camaraderie that you build with your teammates going to war every night against high-level players forces you to improve your compete for level and drive to succeed at all odds.
What have you learned most from Coach Badger?
Coach Badger has developed a very strong relationship with me and he has sacrificed endless time into developing me further into the best player and person I can be. His attention to detail day in and day out is contagious and forces you to develop stronger habits of individual improvement every day.
What are you looking to improve upon most to help sharpen your game for the college level?
Continuing to improve in my skating, strength, explosiveness, and 200-foot play will best prepare me to succeed at the next level.
What are your main individual goals for the remainder of the season? And where do you see yourself next season?
For the remainder, I have goals of continuing my individual play and hopefully winning an Elite 8 championship at the Gunnery. This year’s team has something special and we all intend on taking advantage of the opportunities we have been given to succeed.
Next season, I see myself making the jump to junior hockey and developing at the best possible spot to prepare myself for college.
