While hockey is as popular a sport as soccer in New England, it is much rarer to find a hockey player among scores of other types of athletes in North Carolina.
However, there are many competitive hockey players who attend East, including several pairs of siblings, from the Breaden brothers to the Pettit-Roths to the Spencers. Known locally as the Hillsborough Hogs, their team trains at the Orange County Sportsplex as part of the organization Triangle Youth Hockey of North Carolina (TYHNC), and travels state and nation wide for games.
Recognizing that many people tend to make initial presumptions about hockey players, senior Alex Pettit-Roth, who has played hockey for 13 years, has an important clarification about members of his sport.
“I think that there’s a narrative that they’re all douchebags, and I want to set the record straight that it’s only about 75 percent of them; there’s a good 24 percent that don’t fit that category. And then there’s the one percent, which includes me, who are the outstanding citizens that just go above and beyond.”
Having played hockey since 2018 as a native New Yorker, sophomore James Pelliccio hopes to dismantle another misconception.
“A lot of people think that we all talk with a Canadian accent or something, but that’s totally unfounded. After all, I know a lot of players who have a Southern accent,” he said.
What these players do all possess is a fierce passion for the game. Junior Will Breaden fondly remembers his first unforgettable experience at the rink when he attended a Washington Capitals game with his aunt, inspiring him to begin playing at age eight.
“I played a lot of sports as a kid. Name it and I probably played it. But I just fell in love with the speed and physicality of hockey, and kept wanting to do it,” Breaden said.
Pettit-Roth not so much discovered hockey, but rather a stick, puck and oversized jersey was thrust upon him as early as age three.
“Funny thing is, I didn’t really have a choice because my dad is Canadian, so I was born into it,” he said. “But I’m glad I grew to love hockey instead of resent it, because that generally does not bode well for the future.”
All of the players emphasized that overwhelmingly, positivity and optimism are key to the winning spirit of the Hillsborough Hogs. Pelliccio said that he enjoys playing on a team with so many friends.
“In whichever sport you play, it’s nice having that team atmosphere. In hockey it’s really important because everything’s so fast paced, and you need the support of your teammates to score a goal,” he said.
Despite enduring multiple trials with the sport, such as breaking his collarbone two years ago at a Philadelphia tournament, junior Henry Spencer has played hockey from the time he learned to walk and loves the opportunity to compete on a team.
“What I like most about my sport is definitely my teammates and coaches, and the bonds I’ve made with all of them,” Spencer said. “I feel like there aren’t that many hockey players here, but more people should watch and learn and play hockey, especially in North Carolina.”
Realizing that hockey is fairly uncommon in the South, these East players affirmed its mesmerizing speed as the primary reason that they continue to play, despite a lack of rinks in the area and limited ice time.
“I like how it’s a very fast game, but it’s also a physical game. And while being physical, it still requires a lot of finesse, which is special compared to many other sports,” Breaden said.
Despite its requirements for lightning speed and panache, hockey can also offer a conduit for relief and relaxation. Oddly enough, ripping down the ice exemplifies both a source of kineticism and tranquility for these players.
“For me, it’s a real outlet for releasing any anger,” Pettit-Roth said. “It definitely is a calming experience after you’re done with a practice or championship, just to get out any emotions.”
Breaden, Pelliccio, Pettit-Roth and Spencer all hope to play club hockey in college. Pettit-Roth, who is attending Tulane, is excited to join its competitive team.
“I hope that people realize that hockey is not this rarefied sport, but instead it presents something for everyone, and truly it is almost as enjoyable to watch as it is to play,” Breaden said.
Main photo courtesy of Henry Spencer
