NH Jr Monarchs
NH_JrMonarchs
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The New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs are proud to announce their 6th Division I player off of last year’s roster. Derek Pratt will be attending UCONN in the fall of ’14, after a season in the United States Hockey League (USHL). The 6’1, 185 pound d-man was a tough, smooth skating, reliable, stay at home blue-liner for the Monarchs last season. Pratt was the first captain for the Jr. Monarchs under the Ryan Frew regime.
Coach Frew had this to say about Derek…”This couldn’t have happened to a better kid. Derek was a big part of our teams success last season. He is a born leader. His character is that of which every coach wants in their locker room. We are talking about a kid here that gives you his best effort in everything he does. I am so proud to have played a role in his development and ultimately his advancement to college hockey a year from now. He has worked for and earned everything that lies before him. The Huskies have picked up a kid that can help build a team from the ground up…”
Derek said this about his college choice…”Committing to the University of Connecticut is high on the list of good things that I have accomplished in my life. But that doesn’t mean I can be complacent, it just means I have to work even harder to make an impact at the next level. I had talked to a few other schools but once UCONN offered I couldn’t pass up that opportunity.”
When asked about his experience with the Monarchs Pratt offered this, “I had a great year playing for the Monarchs. This organization was behind our team the entire year. Coach Frew expects a lot out of his players. That’s how it should be playing junior hockey. Not only are you there to go on to the next level but your trying to win a championship and he understands that and is passionate about making his players understand the culture that he wants. Coach Golden is there to win. If something needs to be said at any point he’ll say it for the betterment of the players.”
Ryan Frew added this, “Derek led this team through what could have very easily been a tough transition…and at times it was…when we lost Co-Captain Stevie McKenna for the year early in the season the dynamic of our team changed drastically and Pratt worked hard to remold this group. He was behind our staff every step of the way, to make sure that our program didn’t skip a beat, and because of guys like him- it didn’t.. You coach kids over the years that you just know will still be in touch years down the road…He is one of those kids and I look forward to watching him grow into the successful person that I know he will become.”
Pratt went on to say, “I am proud to have played for the Monarchs last season, it would have been difficult to accomplish my goals without their guidance. The best part about being a new age Monarch was not losing a step and being one of the guys that kept their great tradition going. I think we silenced most critics when we upset Springfield and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.”
The New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs would like to take the time to say congratulations to the entire Pratt family and thank you! Derek is the son of Tom and Linda Pratt, and has a brother Kevin. The family is from Mount Hermon, MA.