The prep school regular season is over, but Tim Rego is already looking forward to the future after announcing his commitment to the College of the Holy Cross last Friday.
The senior defenseman and captain from Mansfield, Mass., recently completed the year at Williston Northampton School where he increased all of his offensive totals during his third season under head coach Derek Cunha. The 6-foot, 185-pound Rego tied for the team lead with 13 goals and led Wildcat defensemen with 24 points in 27 games.
Rego joined New England Hockey Journal to discuss the next step of his career, which will see him compete in Atlantic Hockey, in the latest installment of our Commitment Q&A series:
How would you describe yourself as a player? Are there NHL players you try to emulate?
I would describe myself as a two-way defenseman that focuses on preventing goals in the D-zone and then joins or leads the rush up ice offensively. I see myself mirroring Victor Hedman’s style of play.
What made Holy Cross the right fit for your college career?
When I went for my official visit, Holy Cross felt like a good fit for me right away. The location, familiarity with the coaching staff, and the opportunity they gave me was a big part of my decision.
What did you take away most from your conversations with David Berard and his staff?
When talking with Coach Berard and the coaching staff, I took away that they really knew me as a hockey player and a person. They knew what they were talking about when it came to my progression since I started playing in prep school, and it seemed they really did their research on me.
Being a New England native, there is obviously so much college hockey around. When did the college route first becoming something that most interested you?
The college hockey route was always something I was aware of since I was a little kid. I knew that I wanted to play in college by my sophomore year when I was drafted into the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. After talking with the coaches up there, I felt that college hockey was the way I wanted to go.
What other schools did you consider?
My choice was between three schools: AIC, UNH, and Holy Cross. The week before I made my decision, I narrowed it down to UNH and Holy Cross.
Was staying close to home important to you in the college decision-making process?
The location of Holy Cross was definitely a big part of my decision. Even though UNH is not a very far drive from my house, the closeness to Holy Cross made me feel more comfortable being only 40 minutes from my family.
You just finished your third and final season at Williston. How do you feel the season went?
This year was a great experience for me at Williston. Being the only three-year player, I was fortunate enough to be named captain. With so many new players, I learned valuable lessons in leadership, and we had one of the most close-knit teams I have ever been a part of.
Individually, what areas of your game did you see the most improvement in this year?
This year I saw growth in my play-making ability and speed. These two areas helped me escape in certain situations and create a lot of scoring chances.
What is it like playing for Coach Cunha? What have you learned most from him?
Playing for Coach Cunha is a great experience. He has helped me develop in many areas since I was a sophomore, and lead me through the college process. One thing I learned most from Coach Cunha is not only how to be a better hockey player, but how to be a better person off the ice. He taught me how to respond to many situations, and has helped me mature as a young man.
How are you looking to most improve your game entering Holy Cross? Have the coaches relayed anything to you about that?
Before entering Holy Cross, I am looking to improve my speed and simplify my game more. Coming into the college level, I want to be able to use my speed make plays and be able to move the puck quickly. Being a two-way defenseman, the coaches have relayed that speed is crucial. I need to be able to jump up in the play, while also have the speed to get back on defense.
What are your main individual goals before entering college? Off that, where do you see yourself or hope to be as a player at this time next year?
My main individual goal before entering Holy Cross is to develop into a player that is ready to make an impact as a freshman. Having a junior year in front of me, it gives me a great opportunity to develop with and against older players, getting me ready for Division 1 hockey. At this time next year, I am hoping to have the same impact on my team as I did here at Williston.
