In our 3rd installment of the Q5, we chat with ECAC Brown University Goaltender #33 Anthony Borelli. Anthony recently graduated with a degree in Economics and was named Academic All Ivy. He launched his professional career with a month long stint in Cincinnati with the ECHL Cyclones. His story should give us a realistic idea of what it might take for the majority of college hockey goalies to earn their day in the sun.
Q1: You just returned from your first pro experience in the ECHL, though you did not see playing time, what did you take from your time there and what are the differences between college and pro hockey?
A: Even though I didn’t get to see any game action overall it was a great experience for me and a big advantage in the learning process. The biggest difference I noticed was the amount of preparation and work ethic these guys brought to practice every day. They took each rep of each drill seriously and if you weren’t sharp in net the guys would make you look pretty foolish.
Q2: After a solid junior career in the BCHL and the USHL, Brown came calling and offered you a spot. While mostly watching upperclassman play in front of you for 3 seasons, what did it take to stay the course in an obviously frustrating situation?
A: Those three years leading up to my senior year were extremely frustrating. Watching a team struggle year in and year out while sitting on the bench is not a situation I would want anyone to be in. There were definitely high and low points between my freshman and senior year, but the one thing that had to remain constant was my work ethic. If I wasn’t diligent in the way I worked while not playing, I would hate to imagine my senior year not going as well as it did.
Q3: When you were thrust into the net this season, only to become the team’s savior and catalyst for a playoff run, how did you feel and what were your new found challenges?
A: I’m pretty sure my first thought was – don’t get pulled (laughs). Obviously I was thrown into a precarious situation not having had game experience in over a year. I still remember the nerves from that first game because I knew that if I didn’t win, even if I played well, there was a strong chance I wouldn’t be back between the pipes again. Fortunately the team played well in front of me and we ended up winning which was a huge relief. So from that game I could just focus on settling in and finding my game rhythm again. I’d say the biggest challenge I was faced with was helping a young and struggling team find an identity and gain confidence.
Q4: Carrying your team to the ECAC Championship game after beating #1 ranked Quinnipiac University in the opening round must have justified your efforts. What was your approach going into the title game and would you change anything or prepare any differently, knowing the outcome?
A: Yeah shutting out the top ranked team in the nation was a great feeling, but winning the championship would have been a much better one. By that point in the year I was so comfortable in my game time routine that what was on the line didn’t matter. I try to treat every game the same way, whether it’s an exhibition game or the ECAC championship. I feel that approaching each and every game in a business manner helps to cut out the emotions and nerves that you can have.
Q5: Working with GDI Southeast now for the last two seasons has helped to identify areas of your game that can become overlooked during the course of a long season. Though Brown did not employ a goalie coach during the year, what are the benefits of having one in your opinion?
A: The coaches at GDI have been extremely valuable in my development over the past couple years. Working with the GDI team has helped me to expand my goaltending repertoire while reinforcing good habits day in and day out. This is where, in my opinion, a goalie coach is most valuable. Over the course of a season goalies see hundreds of shots every day in practice and may find themselves using less than perfect mechanics as the day wears on. Over time, if not corrected, this can lead to bad habits. I feel goalie coaches are instrumental in correcting these bad habits before they start through reinforcement of proper technique and observation.
Thanks Ant, we are extremely proud of your efforts and determination.We look forward to seeing you play professionally this season and continue a career strengthened by perseverance. Best of luck!