Behind the Shield: Luc Fricchione

Hello and welcome to BEHIND THE SHIELD, an article series where I, your host, Denzel Valera, will be sitting down with some of your favorite Worcester State Athletes to get to know a bit more about what is inside the mind of these athletes and what inspires and motivates them everyday. 

On this week's episode I sat down with a new member of the Worcester State University Lancers Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Class of 2027, Defenseman, from West Springfield, Mass., #4 Luc Fricchione. 

To ease into the interview, I started off with some silky sauce passes for Luc:

DV: How did you find your love for Hockey?

Fricchione: So my dad coached and played with me, playing with a family member and playing street hockey with him made it a fun sport to fall in love with

Luc joins the Lancers after an illustrious career with the Springfield Pics. Fricchione is not the only Lancer to come from the Springfield Pics, as senior Mike Wilson and juniors Matt Kowal and Wyatt Friedlander are also former members of the team. 

DV: What do you feel is better for your sport, weightlifting in the gym or calisthenics?

Fricchione: I say weight lifting, certain ways of lifting make a big improvement on the ice

DV: What is more important, endurance or stamina in ice hockey?  

Fricchione: I probably say stamina because of the short shifts

DV: Why did you choose Worcester State University?

Fricchione:  I started to talk to coach Deraney, and they all seemed like beauties and I could see myself here for four years

DV: Would you rather have speed or strength? 

Fricchione: I would like to have speed like Connor McDavid and Jack Huegues and be similar to how they were, they were more dominant on the ice because of their speed

DV: Do you feel as if it’s important to have a good connection with your teammates and have team building exercises, or, do you feel as if you’re a good player you should just be able to conform to the standards the team requires and exceed them? 

Fricchione: Team chemistry, because everyone is on the same page thanks to the vets like Mike Wilson, Brigham Neuhold and Drew Eid I fel our team is already bonding

Getting to learn a bite more about Luc Fricchione has been fun, but there are some real personal questions we are going to skate into now.

DV: What's your favorite Movie and scene in the movie?  

Fricchione: That’s My Boy, the begging with the teacher in the classroom

DV: Who's your favorite hockey player, and how did they inspire you? 

Fricchione: Cale Makar, just watching him play and how he works with the puck

DV: What are your top 5 musical artists? 

Fricchione:

Top 5 Musical Artists:

1. Zach Bryan

2. Morgan Walen

3. Luc Holmes

4. Parker Mccollum

5. Flat Land Cavalry

Then we moved into a speed round (he should be used to this, with quick shifts on the ice and all….), five seconds to see what comes out……

DV: What's your favorite food? 

Fricchione: Lasagna, or any Italian food

DV: Instead of making it pro, what is your dream job?

Fricchione: Coach a college, or a pre college, hockey program

DV: Where do you want to travel to?

Fricchione: I want to go to Greece, my dad is from there

DV: What (Field, Stadium, Arena) would you like to play in? 

Fricchione: I have never played at the TD Garden, playing with the Bruins will be awesome

(I love the confidence in seeing this happen, already saving money to grab center ice tickets for when it occurs) 

DV: Who was your biggest role model growing up?  

Fricchione: Definitely my dad, he helped me in everything hockey related, helping with skills and training

DV: Who do you model your play/style after? 

Fricchione: Charlie McAvoy, he create plays and enjoys the rush

DV: What is your personal goal this upcoming season? 

Fricchione: Just help the boys win the MASCAC Championship and making it onto the National Stage

DV: What is your team goal this upcoming season/regular season? 

Fricchione: Our goal is to win MASCACs And win the National Championship

DV: Do you have any final remarks or comments? 

Fricchione: I have only been in Worcester for a couple of weeks and I love it, and I can't wait to start off the season strong.

We all cannot wait to see what the team has in store for us this year! Thanks for joining us in this issue of BEHIND THE SHIELD and I will see you next time we lower the SHIELD!

~ Denzel Valera~