1. What was your college playing experience like for you?
College was fun because I loved the groups of guys that were there with me my four years. I made best friends for life. The hockey part was frustrating because I was never really given a chance to be the number one goalie there, getting stuck behind two junior goaltenders my freshman year and sophomore year. Junior year, I finally became the starter and beat five nationally ranked teams that year, including number one Yale, but my senior year, we had new coaching staff that decided to play younger guys over seniors, which is why, over all, college hockey was very frustrating.
2. What was your degree in? And, does it somehow influence or assist in your game play or future plans in the game, if you make a career in hockey after playing?
At St. Lawrence University, I majored in both economics and history. Both subjects really interested me, and my school had great teachers in both fields of study. I would have to say that these majors do not help me in net, but economics and watching the stock markets are things I pay attention to everyday. I plan on working with an investment company whenever this journey of mine ends.
3. What was your most defining moment in your college hockey career?
The most defining moment in my college career would probably be what I mentioned earlier, beating nationally ranked number one Yale at our home arena my junior year. It was probably my best game in my four years, and not too many people can say they beat the best division one college team in the country.
4. Who influenced you most, at any time, while playing hockey?
I would have to say the most influential people in my hockey career would have to be my family. I have two older brothers that were both goalies growing up (both retired), and my father played as well. It was a very competitive household and we brothers always pushed each other to be the best. My father has always been the person I can lean on when times get tough, and he's always the first person I call after a game. My mom always answers the phone but is too nervous to hear how I did.
5. How did your journey to the RiverHawks begin, and what has it been like to be in a pro career?
My journey to the Riverhawks started about a month before the October training camp. Coach Rob Miller got in touch with my agent, who then got in touch with me, to let me know of this opportunity to attend training camp. I obviously jumped at the opportunity, had a good week at camp, won my first game against Columbus in an exhibition game, and the next chapter of my life began.
Being a professional hockey player has been great. It's great that the game we love gets to be our job. Becoming a pro, just gives you the satisfaction that all that hard work every summer, season after season, wasn't all for nothing.
6. Is there anything ritualistic you do before games?
No, to be honest, most people say goalies are weird because they usually have so many superstitions or rituals, but I really don't. I get loose before every game kicking the soccer ball around with my teammates and get a good 20 minute stretch afterwards, but the main thing I just try to do is focus on the game and nothing else. I picture saves I made in previous games in my head just to get the adrenaline going right before I hit the ice, and then, spend the game watching the puck move around the ice.
7. What is your “hockey name?”
On every team I have played for, all the guys have either called me mossy, mosser, or moose. Guys call me mosser now, but my last six years playing junior hockey and college, people called me moose. If you look at my goalie helmet, you will see that it has a moose head covering the majority of it.
8. Hobbies or activities outside of hockey?
Outside of hockey, I like playing video games with teammates and friends and reading about the financial markets. I also enjoy going to the theatre.
9. Has anything surprised you about the South since you have been here?
The only thing that has surprised me about the south is the amount of fans we and other teams get. It seems like every rink we play at games are sold out or close to it. I know we haven't had the best attendance this year for our games, but the fans that do come are so supportive and excited to watch us play. I didn't imagine hockey being such a big part of the community in Augusta and many other places we play. So, I guess I can say I was pleasantly surprised about this.
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