1.  What made you want to be a NYC Cyclone?

When I moved to Manhattan I was already playing hockey, so it was a natural progression for me to join the Cyclones program.  I left early on in my career to play for two different AAA teams, but came back as I realized I would benefit more by developing my skills at a AA organization that had top coaching and a competitive schedule.

2.  How did the NYC Cyclones help shape the player you are today? 

During my four seasons with the NYC Cyclones, I was able to gain the confidence in myself as a player and develop my skills to ensure I was able to make it to the AAA level and be successful.  My goal was playing for a top AAA program and furthering my advancement as a hockey player.  The Cyclones helped shape my work ethic and made sure I understood what would be required day in and day out to be successful at the next level.

3.  What was the most important lesson you learned as a player with the NYC Cyclones?

The most important lesson I learned was that winning doesn’t just happen, it takes a lot of time, effort, preparation and determination by everyone on a team, but when this comes together great things can happen.  My final season with the Cyclones playing Bantam Major, we had a lot of ups and downs, but the coaches made sure that we all were focused on one goal, reaching the NYS Championships.  We not only achieved this goal after playing nearly 70 games against some of the best and highest ranked teams in the country, we nearly won.

4.  What was the highlight during your time with the NYC Cyclones?

For me, this is simple – Our coaches had a goal the entire season of winning a NYS Championship.  We were one of the highest ranked teams at Tier II all season and played the best teams all year to ensure we were prepared for our ultimate goal.  We had a tough draw playing St. Lawrence Thunder who was the number 2 team in the country, but we came out and shocked them with a 5-1 win.  It was the defining moment for me and it taught every member of the team that hard work, determination and being pushed every time you’re at the rink has real results, but you have to believe in the system.

5.  Why do you think your NYC Cyclones teams had such success?

I was extremely fortunate to have two amazing coaches for my Peewee Major and both Bantam Major seasons.  They brought a high tempo to every single practice and an intensity to games that made sure you were accountable every time you were on the ice.  They taught myself and my teammates what it takes to win, how to win and the correct way to prepare for a goal – Simple, shift by shift and period by period.  Know your end game, but focus on what you can do right now to be better.

6.  Where are you playing now and how did the Cyclones prepare you to complete at your current level?

I am currently playing for South Kent Selects Academy U15 National team, a top ranked team in the US.  The Cyclones helped me develop into my own player while learning how to be a great teammate.  My work ethic was shaped by constantly being held accountable for my actions and that you can’t win by just going out and playing.  It’s the effort and how you approach the journey that helps you achieve your goals.  It doesn’t matter whether you are playing AA or AAA, you need to focus on what you need to do to improve and work as hard as possible and that’s what the Cyclones instilled in me.