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Photo by Rena Laverty

Sean Farrell Enjoys Big Win Against Future College Teammates

By Becky Olsen, 11/06/18, 1:15PM EST

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Harvard commit got a taste of next season in 6-3 win for the U18s


Photo by Rena Laverty

It was a very special moment for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 forward Sean Farrell as the clock ticked off the final seconds in the team’s 6-3 win over Harvard University.

He will always remember not only the result, but also the setting, on his future home ice at the Bright Hockey Center.

“It was really cool,” said the Harvard commit and Hopkinton, Massachusetts, native. “I always love going to the campus there, especially in the fall as it is so beautiful there. It was really great to have my family and friends there and to get to talk to them after the game.”

One of his favorite moments was walking upstairs after the game and seeing so many familiar faces from back home that made up his cheering section.

I just remember coming up after the game and there were so many people there to see me," Farrell said. "It was great to see people that I haven’t seen since last Christmas. I had close to 30 family members — my grandparents, my cousins, my parents [Bill and Erica] and my sister [Brooke].”

He even had an opportunity to talk to the Harvard coaching staff and a few players after the game. At the end of the day, picking Harvard to continue his hockey career was a really easy decision for him.

“Right away, I had a really good connection with the coaching staff there,” Farrell said. “I have always been high on academics. It was important for me to find a school that had a great hockey program and academics as well. With the two together, you can’t go wrong there.”

It also helps the campus is really close to his hometown.

“It’s about 30-40 minutes from campus but it all depends on traffic going into the city, so it can definitely take longer,” Farrell said.


Sean's Favorites

Favorite NHL Player
Brad Marchand

Most Memorable Moment/Achievement
Winning the league championship with the Minuteman Flames for the last time because we played together for eight years.

Three Famous Dinner Invitees
President Donald Trump, Tom Brady and David Ortiz

Best Advice Received
Skate hard and have fun

What Celebrity Would You Carpool Karaoke With?
Ariana Grande


Before he sets foot on campus next fall, Farrell is focused on finishing his U18 season strong. The 5-foot-9, 174-pound forward has already noticed a big difference on the ice after his Under-17 season. He has tallied three goals and 11 points this season after scoring nine goals and 40 points in 61 games last season.

“Getting faster over the summer and being more comfortable playing games against [United States Hockey League] teams,” Farrell cited as big differences. “We are bigger, stronger and faster which allows us to showcase our skills against the USHL. I added at least five pounds of muscle to my frame.”

He credits his training, both from May and over the summer as a big reason for his early season success. Plus, he was able to get extra motivation by working with two of his current teammates.

“Getting stronger and faster and a head start on my summer workouts was important,” Farrell said. “We continued that momentum from our spring workouts that we did here and really worked to be ready for this season. I worked out four days a week and then, skated a few days a week with Henry [Thrun] and Patrick [Moynihan]. We had a good time skating and working out together. We all pushed each other and had fun doing it.”

We are bigger, stronger and faster which allows us to showcase our skills against the USHL. I added at least five pounds of muscle to my frame.

Farrell and his U18 teammates are gearing up for their first international tournament — the Five Nations in the Czech Republic. The round-robin event, which runs from Nov. 7-10, also features the top U18 players from the Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. Farrell understands there is a simple formula for the team to have success in this first international test.

“We have to stick to our game plan that Coach Wrobo [U18 Head Coach John Wroblewski] wants us to do,” he said. “We need to play fast and hard and we should be able to wear teams down and have some success there.

“We have to take it one period at a time and then one game at a time when we are out there. We need to focus on the game at hand instead of worrying about the next game that we will play.”

One area that he believes will help the team at the Five Nations will be the games the U18s have played against the college teams to date. He knows how that success on the ice translates into his play.

“We will be ready for physical, fast hockey,” Farrell said. “With the college guys you have to be smart and make fast plays in order to be able to score against them. That will help us a lot as we can outmuscle teams and also play fast.”



Photo by Rena Laverty


One thing will never change for Farrell: how special it has been to suit up for Team USA and wear the colors of his country.

“It’s an honor to wear the jersey,” Farrell said. “It’s real special to wear it every day, even in practice. It really means more wearing it and hearing the national anthem. I really take pride in having that jersey on.

“In international play, it’s more special. We are overseas representing our country. Those games against teams such as Russia, Finland or Canada, it’s all about how we play and how we act on those trips, it really shows what we are made of.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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