GAME ON: The Player – Connor DiPietro

GAME ON: The Player – Connor DiPietro

Q & A with Connor DiPietro, Coventry High School Hockey

What has been the biggest challenge being a high school athlete?

The biggest challenge for me being a high school athlete is blending each new season with the mix of new talent of players on our team. Not only that, its getting used to their style of play, speed, and the skills they bring to Coventry. I see the competition from all of our division 2 schools as a challenge as well. We all have to work together to be a team of one.

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Who is your biggest motivator?

The biggest motivators have been my parents and my coaches over the past 13 years of playing hockey. Moreover, I am my own biggest motivator because if im not playing the best of my ability, I motivate myself to try harder. I try to give 110% no matter which team of athletes I play against and I feel I am definitely a team player.

Who is your biggest rival?

My biggest rival is whichever team we are playing against at that moment. That’s my perspective; I go out every shift of every game and play with all my energy.

What are you working to improve your game?

One skill I am working on most often is my aim, shooting, and figuring out how to break up the ice. As a team we constantly strive to make the best match of talent on each line.

What is your greatest memory on the ice?

My greatest memory is when we played Providence Country Day high school. We were down 0-2 going into the third period. We came out in the third period and Nick Paiva scored 2 goals to tie up the score. The pace for the rest of the game was back and forth hockey. Until Alex Zannella put a shot on net and was deflected wide, the puck bounced off the boards to the left of the goalie and got redirected towards center ice, but it was just above the top of the circle in between the blue line, as I entered the zone with 17 seconds left. I lined up the puck with the net, aimed to the far side because I knew the goalie was sliding over towards me, then I ripped a slap shot, it flew by the goalies shoulder to be met with the back of the net. The force of my slap shot landed the puck in the netting. The referees had to pry it loose. The reason why this is a strong memory is because it just shows what teamwork can do.

How are you able to balance your schoolwork with practices, games, and training?

When I get home from practice every day I hit the books. During school hours we have what’s called academic lab, which is another time I can get homework done or just study.

Where do you see yourself going from here, do you plan to pursue this sport in college?

I see myself going to college after high school, I don’t have a specific college in mind but I plan on playing hockey wherever I go.