Bolger signs with New England
In the middle of Grade 11, Lauren Bolger decided she wanted to pursue a college hockey career.
“When I switched from the Junior Badgers to Hamilton, we did a bunch of college tours and that was a really big thing for me,” the Grade 12 student at Blessed Trinity said. “It was ‘OK I have an opportunity to play at the A level and I can go play college hockey.’ ”
Her Hamilton Hawks travel squad played a number of exhibition games against Michigan post secondary schools and while she came to the conclusion she had the ability to play at the college level she also realized that she didn’t want to play anywhere in Michigan.
“That’s not where I wanted to be. It’s not what I wanted. I wanted to be near the ocean and I wanted to be on the East Coast,” the 18-year-old Beamsville native said. “I ended up sending out a bunch of footage to East Coast schools and New England College got back to me. I went on a tour in March and I really liked the school. I felt like it was the best fit for me.”
The centre/right winger committed to the NCAA Division 3 New England College Pilgrims in Henniker, N.H., and a signing ceremony was held at Blessed Trinity Tuesday to celebrate that accomplishment.
Signing at New England College wasn’t initially a given.
“At first it was like ‘I don’t know about this because it was eight hours away’ and I was not sure but I met the coach and she took us on a tour. The school is really small and I wanted a small school but I wasn’t sure I wanted to be so far away from my friends and family. We looked around, looked at all the facilities and it was ‘OK. I think I can live here and I want to play hockey here. This is it.’ ”
She will have a connection at the school because one of her best friends, Angelina DeDivitiis from Denis Morris, has committed to play at the school.
The future kinesiology major at New England College has a number of goals for her freshman season of scholarship hockey.
“I want to be a playmaker, I want to be part of the team and I want to build the success of the team. It is not a top-end team right now but I want to be a part of that growing. And eventually I want to be on a championship team.”
Bolger describes her style of play as a good passer who can contribute on the power play. In the past season, her game has continued to evolve.
“I am taking more time to pass instead of just rushing and throwing away the puck. I am looking to see what is around me instead of creating turnovers.”
Getting stronger and faster will be important next steps.
She plans to work hard to get ready for her first season.
“There is going to be a lot of training in the summer, including a lot of off-ice training, running and working out.”
She can’t wait to get started.
“I am looking forward to making friends, meeting new people and creating opportunities for myself after hockey.”
Bolger started playing house league hockey when she was eight and then moved to A and AA travel hockey when she was 11.
