University of New Hampshire grad Jason Salvaggio (Hanson, Mass.) was a bit of a mystery man at the Traverse City Prospect Tournament.
Salvaggio spent more time in the stands than on the ice, well-dressed, often seen visiting with former Hockey East rivals such as Erik Foley (Mansfield, Mass.; Providence) and Drew Melanson (Boston University). He’s a classic Massachusetts hockey product, a guy who grew up watching New York Rangers assistant GM Chris Drury (Trumbull, Conn.) play at the old Boston Garden.
“I was always at the Beanpot growing up,” said Salvaggio, “leaving school early to watch him (Drury) play. I’ve always been a big fan.”
Salvaggio’s red-cheeked face resembles a map of Ireland, something his former coach dismisses loudly. “Sal-VAG-gio! Cmon, that’s Italian,” said Dick Umile (Melrose, Mass.), the former godfather of Hockey East.
