- April 25, 2024
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You’re leading the team in points and goals scored this season. What has your mentality been toward this season?
Being my senior year, I kind of just put it all out there, you know? Trying to get every goal and trying to lead the team with the goals, which I’m doing right now. I’m trying to get to the overall leader (in the league) in goals — that’s my goal.
With the way the league is set up, with one team representing all of Orange County, what’s it like to have teammates from different schools around the county?
It’s pretty cool. It’s kind of hard, though, when you’re at school, because you want to hang out with your team, but they’re not in your school. It’s pretty fun, though, because I can travel around and see, “Oh, that’s how it is at that school.”
Is there a goal you scored or an assist you made so far this season that stands out in your memory?
There was one goal, it was me and Cameron Cippolone coming down on a two-on-one and he passed over, and it was just a textbook play — just beautiful.
You seemed to have improved from 2014 to 2015. Can you put your finger on where the improvement has been?
I got a new curve, so I’m trying that new curve, and it’s been pretty big. Changing that up a little bit, and I’ve definitely gotten used to it. So, hopefully, it’s the curve, or maybe it’s just me working.
Currently, there is not a ton of places to skate in Central Florida. How often are you at the RDV Ice Den?
RDV, I’m probably here Monday through Friday to play hockey, and then on the weekends, I work all day.
What are your thoughts on the facility that is planned for Winter Garden?
I’m pretty pumped for the Solar Bears so that way they have their own rink and they can do their own thing. It’s going to be tough as an employee (at RDV), though, so we’ll see how that goes.
Does its pending construction suggest to you that the sport, as well as ice sports in general, are growing here in Central Florida?
I definitely think so, because rinks are going up left and right. So we’ll see how that goes in the next 10 years, and hopefully, there’s going to be more hockey in Florida.
What are your plans, hockey-wise, following graduation?
I’m going to go play junior hockey in Tampa Bay. So, hopefully, it’ll push me to work harder and skate harder and reach my goals.
The NHL Playoffs are going on. Any predictions as to who will take home the Stanley Cup?
You know, I’m a “Go Bruins” kind of guy; so go (Boston) Bruins — but (since they’re eliminated) I think the (Tampa Bay) Lightning are going to win it.
What’s been the best thing about being a senior in high school?
The best part is you get away with a lot at school — I’ve wore a hat pretty much all year. You learn the little tricks around the rules.
Who is the biggest rival for the Orange County team?
I believe Volusia, because they have a player there who is a fantastic player. … He’s going to be tough to play, so we will see how that turns out.
What are you looking forward to the most about summer?
Definitely playing hockey. That’s all I look forward to is hockey.
What’s the reaction from friends at school when they find out that you play hockey competitively?
They’re pretty surprised; they’re like, “You’re from Florida and you play hockey?” But once they get to know me, they understand.
Where’s the coolest place or rink you’ve watched a hockey game?
I went up to Canada to play some hockey, and I went to watch the (Ontario Hockey League) game of Sarnia Sting, and that was pretty cool, because I’d never seen an OHL game.
