Al Carrier, co-host of the Charlestown Live TV program that airs on BNNTV Thursday evenings, interviewed three up and coming hockey stars from Charlestown whom were drafted to hockey teams in the National Hockey League.
Carrier sat down with Charlestown’s “Big Three” of Brendan Collier, who just finished his hockey career at Malden Catholic, Matty Grzelcyk, who wrapped up a very successful season on the U.S. Men’s Under-18 Development Junior hockey team, and Jimmy Vesey, who capped off an unbelievably high-scoring season for the South Shore Kings.
The three hockey standouts began their youth hockey careers together, both in roller hockey and ice hockey.
Brendan and Matty both still reside in Charlestown. Jimmy moved to Reading when he was younger. However, his father Jim, a long-time Townie, was a scoring sensation at Merrimack College and went on to play for the St. Louis Blues and the Boston Bruins.
Collier said that three young men are arguably the most talented hockey players to come out of Charlestown in a while. He added that these players are following in the footsteps of players like O’Callahan, Fidler, Hayes, Yandle, Tkachuk, Whelton, Ortiz, McGoff, Williams Considine, DeRosa, and Cotter as well as many women who made their mark in collegiate play such as Cedorchuk, Hingston, Junta, and Murphy.
There are many others who are chasing the dream like Conal Lynch, Aaron Titcomb, Mike Settipani, John Caldwell, and John Humphrey and may be only a step away from achieving their hockey career goals.
Collier is a left winger who was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the seventh round, 189th pick overall. At Malden Catholic, Collier helped lead his team to back-to-back Division 1A state titles. Collier will be playing one year of Junior Hockey for the Valley Junior Warriors and attending Boston University in 2013. He will team with his Grzelcyk, his long-time friend and former teammate, in the BU Terriers program.
Grzelcyk is an amazing defenseman who was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the third round, 85th pick overall.
“Grizzy,” as his friends call him, helped the US 18-Under team take home the fourth straight gold medal at the 2012 World Cup held in Czech Republic. Charlestown fans will be able to watch Grzelcyk play this coming season for the BU Terriers.
Vesey is an extremely talented forward who was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the third round, 66th pick overall. Vesey was named the 2012 Eastern Junior Hockey League Most Valuable Player after putting together a phenomenal 100-point season.
Vesey attended Belmont Hill School and will be suiting up in the Harvard University hockey program.
Collier said the three Charlestown players are not only tremendously talented hockey players but they are also very respectful and have great character.