Central Catholic Hockey Star Evangelista Transfers To New York Power

Central Catholic Hockey Star Evangelista Transfers To New York Power

Central Catholic Hockey Star Evangelista Transfers to New York Power

Evangelista firstBrandon Graham Jerseys learned of the school last fall while playing for the Massachusetts All-Star team in a tourpage_seo_titlent in Minnesota, and losing to Northwood 8-3.

"They beat us pretty bad, and we had guys from (Super 8 champion) Malden Catholic and other good players," said Evangelista, who was held scoreless after two goals the previous day. "I was impressed by the way they played. It was so fast-paced and clean."

Soon after, Brian Westbrook JerseysEvangelista contacted the school and visited the campus over Christmas break.

Northwood then send a coach to North Andover to see him play in the Super 8 against Weymouth, a game that saw the 5-foot-8, 155-pound Evangelista score an acrobatic goal in which he slid the puck through a defender's skates.

"The fact that they came out and watched me play really showed me they were interested," said Evangelista. "Lake Placid is far away, so that's a long trip. I met with the coaches and they seemed really focused on how to get me to where I want to be, to play Division 1 hockey."

But the decision toDonovan McNabb Jerseys leave Central Catholic, who he helped to two Super 8 berths, was a difficult one.

"He was really torn on what to do," said his father Tom Evangelista, who played college hockey at UMass Lowell. "He had three great years at Central Catholic, he had a ton of success and loved the team and coaches. It was a really tough decision, but we felt like it was the positive thing to do.

"The school costs $50,000 a year, but they put together a great package that he really couldn't turn down."

Tommy EvangelistaJeremy Maclin Jerseys said there was nothing but positive support from the Central hockey team.

"Coach Jankowski was very supportive," he said. "He helped me with the whole application process. Most coaches wouldn't help you (leave). But he was very supportive, and the guys understood."

With Northwood, Evangelista will play 55 games against a combination of top prep schools and junior teams. He will also repeat his junior year.

"That's the way hockey works," he said. "You have to repeat sometimes because colleges want you to be as old as possible when you get there.LeSean McCoy Jerseys My dream is to play Division 1 hockey, and I hope to go as far as I can."

While he expressed some nerves about leaving home, Evangelista said he is prepared for the 5 1/2 hour, 268-mile journey from Methuen.

"I'm going to be 18-years-old in September," he said. "Most people my age are going off to college, so I have to move out and start living away sometime.

"My home rink is going to be the 1980 Olympic hockey rink. That's as good as it gets. We have all watched (the movie) 'Miracle' and seen the highlights. I can't wait to play there."

Evangelista leaves an impressive legacy at Central Catholic. In three seasons on the varsity team, Evangelista combined for 51 goals,Mike Quick Jerseys twice leading the Raiders, and 101 career points, and led Central to the pair of Super 8 appearances.

He was an Eagle-Tribune All-Star in 2010, and last season became just the second Central Catholic player to win Eagle-Tribune hockey Player of the Year since the award was established in 1990, following Player of the Decade Paul Jaskot.