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Under-18 Season Full of Memories for Spencer Stastney

By Becky Olsen, 02/20/18, 2:00PM EST

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College-bound defenseman soaking in one more year with NTDP


Photo by Rena Laverty

It was a busy fall that was filled with plenty of memories for USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 blueliner Spencer Stastney. From skating in the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects game to playing against his future college team, there are way too many highlights for him to name.

One of his best memories was signing his National Letter of Intent on Nov. 17 to play hockey next year at the University of Notre Dame.

“It was fun to know where I am going to go to college,” said Stastney, a native of Mequon, Wisconsin who started playing hockey when he was three years old. “It was great to finally make it official. I have dreamed about this for a long time.”

Notre Dame was a great fit for Stastney academically and athletically. Plus, he will be attending with one of his current U18 teammates — Jake Pivonka. The duo played together at the Chicago Mission prior to coming to the NTDP.

“[Notre Dame is] a great school and has a great hockey program,” explained Stastney, who stands in at 5-foot-10, 178 pounds. “It was the right fit with the coaches and team. It will be a lot of fun.

“It’s really nice to go there with Jake. We have been playing together for a long time. It will be nice to be there with a familiar face and one that we click together on the ice.”

Stastney has already shared the ice with some of his future Fighting Irish teammates as the U18s faced Notre Dame on Oct. 1 at the Compton Ice Arena. Despite dropping a hard-fought 4-3 decision, it will be something that he will remember for a long time.

“That was our first college game and it was a little intimidating,” Stastney said. “It was a lot of fun to see the players who I will be playing with next year and the coaches. I remember the atmosphere, just being at the rink and looking up at the scoreboard and then, seeing the fans and bands that were there.

“A few of the players said something to me after the game. It was definitely my favorite game of the year so far.”

Notre Dame is one of several college opponents on the U18 schedule this season, which Stastney believes will help when he transitions to college hockey next season.


Spencer's Favorites

Favorite NHL Team
Chicago Blackhawks

Favorite NHL Player
Brandon Saad

Favorite Movie
Cafe Society

Favorite Celebrity
Benedict Cumberbatch 

Favorite Musical Artist
Billy Joel

Favorite Netflix Binge
The Office 

Favorite Book
The Knife

Favorite Home-Cooked Meal
Burgers 


“It will help a lot,” he said. “So many freshmen that are coming in are overwhelmed with the college experience and how physical and fast the college game is. Now that I have several games under my belt, I will be more comfortable out there next year.”

For now, Stastney is focused on the present and helping Team USA compete for a gold medal at the Under-18 World Championship in Russia in April.

“We want to keep winning and keep developing until we get to Russia and win gold there,” he said. “It’s incredible [to know what we have to do]. USA teams for the most part have not been too successful in Russia. We want to show that USA can win anywhere.”

He credits the training and the schedule as a big part of the team’s success this year. Plus, the team is finally finding its groove.

“Last year, our schedule was pretty gruesome since we were playing some older guys,” said Stastney. “Now that we have gotten bigger, faster and stronger, we are a better team overall. It’s nice to start clicking with the team and having fun on the ice.

“We want to keep winning and keep developing until we get to Russia and win gold there,”

“I think it is being together for over a year [is why we are clicking]. We are starting to figure how each guy plays and where he will be on the ice. It’s just easier to play with each other.”

In addition, he says his defensive skills have improved tremendously.

“It made me realize that I have to play smarter. The teams we are playing are faster, stronger and have better shots. You really have to think about every move you make and each play is the right play,” said Stastney.

Right now, Stastney is focused on finishing strong at the Under-18 Five Nations at USA Hockey Arena and then, getting back into action with two USHL games next weekend. It’s going to be a simple formula for success.

“We have to win out,” he said. “We have to play as a team and stick to what we do. It is what makes us successful is by playing together and playing fast. We need to come together and play as a program and keep grinding it out.”



Photo by Rena Laverty


It is always special for Stastney to wear the colors of his country, but it will be even more memorable to do it in an international tournament on home ice.

“It’s the greatest feeling being able to represent your country, especially in a tournament that is here in the United States,” he stated. “It’s an awesome feeling. We have been to the Czech Republic and we are going to Russia but we are here on our home turf to play in front of our own fans. It’s a lot of fun.”

For Stastney, it will be yet another highlight in a season full of them.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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