Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Massachusetts: Boston College Hockey Has 6 Local Players

Author Jeff Gorra

Boston College is off to a fast start, with their 2023-2024 season now underway. In fact, you can catch many of their games on major networks this season, such as ESPN+ and NESN. While you are tuning in, you may notice that this year’s Boston College hockey roster features many players from Massachusetts.

Of the 27 players listed on the current roster, six of the Eagles this season are from Massachusetts. Here is a list of the local players to look out for.

  • Nolan Joyce, freshman defenseman. From Westwood
  • Will Smith, freshman forward. From Lexington
  • Ryan Leonard, freshman forward. From Amherst
  • Wil Vote, freshman freshman forward. From Arlington
  • Connor Joyce, junior forward. From Westwood
  • Timmy Delay, freshman forward. From Hingham

What you will notice from the list above is that most of the local players are freshmen. The rest of the lineup this season included a collection of great talent from all over the globe.

International players include; Colby Ambrosio from Ontario, Jacob Bengtsson from Sweden, and Jan Korec from Slovakia.

Coach Brown

As for head coach Greg Brown, he has deep New England ties. This includes playing college hockey at Boston College himself from 1986-1990. Coach Brown is from Hartford, Connecticut and got into coaching for the Eagles in 2004. He took a brief hiatus in 2018, joining the New York Rangers staff, and spending a year with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in Iowa (of USHL). Brown then returned to Boston College being named head coach in May of 2022. Brown took over for coach Jerry York, who held the position for 28 years. Last year the team finished with a record of 14–16–6.

Mark Your Calendars

As for what lies ahead for the Eagles, battles at Notre Dame and Harvard in November jump out, in late January, Boston College will face their cross-city rivals at Boston University for a home-and-home. These local Massachusetts players on the Boston College hockey team will play in the annual Beanpot starting on February 5th.

4 High-Profile Football Coaches I'd Want My Kid To Play For

As a youth coach, there is no better feeling than being able to be able to coach a team that your kid is on. But you realize, if your little athletes goes on to play post-youth ball, they will eventually play for someone else. This led me to think about which high-profile football coaches (in both the NFL and NCAA) I would want my kid to play for today.

This is focused on the sport of football for three main reasons. The first is that is the sport I coach him in. Second, it’s the sport of the season. Lastly, it’s the sport my son loves the most right now.

In today’s modern era of professional and high-profile college sports, the head coaches are very prominent figures. Their press conferences are posted to social media. Furthermore, their demeanor is constantly evaluated,, as the press formulate an opinion as to whether or not they are doing a good job.

“Put Me In, Coach!”

So, what do I look for when thinking about who I’d want my son to play for? Well, in this hypothetical scenario, it is important to note that I am selecting a coach, and not a team. Then, it boils down to attitude. These coaches seem to have an attitude that goes way beyond winning. There’s an empathy to their approach. They carry themselves as unique individuals first, and then as a coach. This then leads their locker room to do the same. Lastly, each of them has bet on themselves, and some point had to have the unwavering belief that they would be great at what they do. They never quit on their dreams or their teams.

I have never met any of these coaches. In addition, none of them coach the team I cheer for. They simply inspire me with how they go about their craft and inspire their players.

Here are the four football coaches I’d want my kid to play for.

  • Dan Campbell - Detroit Lions

    After the Lions beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Dan Campbell stood at the team locker room door and congratulated each player on his team as they entered. A hand shake, a hug, a slap on the shoulder pads, or a “great job, man” was issued to each member of the squad. This sentiment is nothing new for Campbell. He’s a player’s coach; he relates to his players. Why? Because he was one. Campbell played tight end in the NFL for the Giants, Cowboys, Lions, and Saints before becoming a coach. Campbell makes sure his players know two things before they take the field. That he believes in them, and that he has their backs. Furthermore, Campbell always exemplifies gratitude for his moments. He knows what it’s like to fail and get back up. In 2015, Campbell was named the interim head coach of the Dolphins. He was not retained. Now, he has the Lions in the playoffs.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Detroit Lions (@detroitlionsnfl)

  • Dan Lanning - University of Oregon

    From a NFL Dan to a college football Dan. Yes, the Oregon Ducks lost heartbreakers to the University of Washington Huskies this past season. Yes, you can argue Lanning had some interesting calls in those games. In response, Lanning said, “I think this game is 100% on me,” he said.” He took responsibility and held himself accountable, which is what he expects of his players. A coach who has the confidence to show his or her leadership while simultaneously recognizing the responsibility that comes with such a title, is someone you want your kids to look up to. Speaking of kids, Lanning had to move countless times until he earned his Oregon head coaching job. He too, failed more than once, but believed in himself to get back up without having a plan B. Even when his kids were babies, he bet on himself to keep going after his dream instead of taking a paycheck outside of coaching. 

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Oregon Football (@oregonfootball)

  • Mike McDaniel - Miami Dolphins

    If you want an example of overcoming adversity and defying the odds, Mike McDaniel is a pretty great example. As a young kid obsessed with the Denver Broncos, McDaniel used to ride his bike to their training camp. One day he lost his hat and then met the team assistant, Gary McCune, who felt bad for this kid who was so upset. This led to McDaniel eventually becoming a ballboy. At 22, he was a coaching intern for the Broncos. Over the next 17 years, he would do every odd job possible as an NFL assistant. He got fired a few times, successfully completed rehab, and lost a Super Bowl. McDaniel never stopped grinding, even when he’d frequently get called the “IT guy” due to his smaller size. He didn’t look like a NFL coach, and he had his own style. This is what has led to McDaniel’s success with the Miami Dolphins. His players love playing for him, just as much as he loved coaching for them. He also gets to the office at

    Mike McDaniel gets to the office as early as 3 a.m., crushes Red Bull, likes Frank Sinatra and Metallica, and has assigned me to watch the “Between Two Ferns” movie. #FinsUp https://t.co/ClDgLdZBWL

    — Joe Schad (@schadjoe) March 2, 2022?lang=en">3 am.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Miami Dolphins (@miamidolphins)

  • Kalen DeBoer - University of Washington

    I am staying in the Pacific Northwest for my college choices here. However, it’s a non-football related story that made me take to Coach DeBoer, who led the Huskies to the championship. Prior to the Oregon game, the Huskies star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. partnered with a local artist named Keegan Hall. Together, they signed prints of Hall’s incredible drawing of Penix Jr. They sold 200 of them and donated every dollar earned to a local charity. Coach DeBoer was involved in this effort, showing a high level of support. Then, Hall shared a story where DeBoer went out of his way, while on the field during the Oregon game to express his sincere interest in what Hall and Penix Jr. had accomplished. “Without a doubt, @kalendeboer has been incredibly successful on the field but, in my opinion, it’s what he does off the field that enables that success,” Hall said, telling the story in an Instagram post. This type of authentic human-element is something you can’t teach. DeBoer has shown he cares about the person, and the impact, not just the football player.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Washington Football (@uw_football)

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

Sign me up for the 105.7 WROR email newsletter!

Make sure you're in the know on the latest music and entertainment news, plus exclusive prizes, trips, and more!

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Jeff Gorra
Category:
Tags:
,

More New England Local

Load More