Orszulak living hockey dream with Yellow Jackets

Date: 12/12/2014

SPRINGFIELD– Most high school athlete’s dream of becoming a Division I star in their respective sport, and for American International College (AIC) sophomore hockey player Austin Orszulak of Springfield, that dream was no different.

A local product who lives less than a mile from campus, Orszulak is hitting his stride in his second season on the ice for head coach Gary Wright.

“It’s pretty special having Austin as a member of our hockey program, and the fact that he’s not only from Springfield, but his home is in the general neighborhood of our campus, makes his situation even more intriguing,” Wright said. “As a local kid, he’s a great ambassador for AIC hockey.”

After appearing in only half of his team’s games a season ago, scoring twice with three assists for five points, the sophomore is tied for the team lead in goals with eight and tied for the team lead in points with 14 through the first two months of this season.

The sophomore is tied for sixth in the Atlantic Hockey Conference in goal scoring and is tied for 12th in points.

“I have the puck on my stick a lot more and am shooting more frequently, making the most out of my increased opportunities,” Orszulak said.

Throughout most of his years of hockey Orszulak hasn’t had to leave the Pioneer Valley as he played his high-school hockey at nearby Cathedral and also played junior hockey for the Springfield Pics. The only time he ventured outside of Springfield was during his preparatory year at the Northwood School in Lake Placid, N.Y.

“There wasn’t much of a change scenery wise for me so it was an easy transition and I couldn’t pass up playing collegiate hockey at the highest level,” mentioned Orszulak.

Orszulak’s connection to AIC runs deeper than meets the eye as three of his former coaches have ties to Coach Wright and AIC Hockey. Pat Moriarty was a former player for Coach Wright and coached Orszulak as a member of the baseball team at Cathedral, Jeff Matthews was a former assistant coach for Wright and guided Austin at the Northwood School during his prep year, and Patrick Tabb, Orszulak’s coach for the Pics, both played for and coached with Wright here at AIC.

“I had three or four guys that were always in contact with Gary and then he would come and see me play and it wasn’t like one phone call got me here it was a multiple year process, but it’s kind of neat how it all worked out,” Orszulak commented.

“My former assistants and players, who coached Austin previous to his attending AIC, were all emphatic about his potential to be a strong, Division 1 hockey player, as was Brian Foley, who coached him at Cathedral,” Wright said. “They were spot on. His point production has been outstanding.  And he’s scoring goals against some of the top teams in the country.  He’s also emerged as a complete, high compete player, who always comes to play.”

Orszulak refers to his junior year of high school in 2009, when Cathedral won the State Championship, as one of the best years of hockey he’s ever had, but getting a taste of the Atlantic Hockey playoffs one year ago he also understands there are bigger and better things on the horizon.

“We are looking to be a championship team here too and it starts with our leadership and then the younger guys who continue to step up and make things happen,” Orszulak said.

Another moment Orszulak will always remember is the team’s trip to the University of Michigan and playing at historic Yost Ice Arena earlier this season where he netted a pair of second period goals to get the Jackets within one goal at 4-3 after two periods.

“That was awesome, it was nice because it got us right back in the game as the two goals came right after another and I’m just upset I didn’t get three” Orszulak chuckled.

The Yellow Jackets fell that night by a 6-3 margin, but it will always be a night that sticks out as one of Orszulak’s glory days on the ice.

A true team-first player Orszulak credits his increased success to his teammates as well as the entire coaching staff.

“A huge reason for my individual success is my teammate’s hard work setting me up for scoring opportunities, I’ve played on every line this year and the puck always seems to find me and that is a credit to them,” Orszulak said.

He also approached Wright after last season on how he can improve as a player and Orszulak said the first thing coach mentioned was his skating as he was given numerous articles from books Wright had in his office.

“I remember reading those sheets and it was all things about getting your first two or three steps going and reaching maximum speed right away. I didn’t forget about those things and I knew I needed to work on them so I focused on those this summer and came into school in great shape,” Orszulak said.

Orszulak also went as far as mentioning first-year assistant Mike Towns. “Coach Towns stays with me and a few other guys every day after practice and gives me game like passes and game like situations to practice shooting and scoring,” he said.

These extra sessions have truly helped the sophomore recognize opportunities to put the puck in the back of the net and he has taken full advantage of every chance he is given to improve his game.

Orszulak’s love for hockey may be the number one thing he enjoys, but he says the musical styling’s of “The Boss” Bruce Springsteen are a close second.

“He’s my favorite singer by far; I’ve seen him 43 times even traveling the world to see him,” he said.

Orszulak reminisced about having guitar picks thrown to him, being given his harmonica and even receiving an autograph in Sweden before being pulled up on stage at a concert in New Jersey. Truly, moments that will last a lifetime.

Before the game you can most likely find Austin with his earbuds in and some of Springsteen’s live album including his personal favorite Land of Hope and Dreams playing as he gets set to take the ice.

His love for Bruce Springsteen is a fitting connection as so far this season the sophomore is skating like a boss for the Yellow Jackets.

Written by John Hanna, coordinator of Athletic Communications for American International College.