Liberty University Club Sports Athletics
Calif. defenseman Crilly transfers from DIII Becker College
4/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's D1 Hockey
One of incoming Liberty University ACHA Division I men's hockey defenseman Drew Crilly's first games with the Potomac Patriots Junior "A" team in the 2014-15 season was against the Flames, a 7-2 Liberty victory in its season opener played in front of a sellout crowd at the LaHaye Ice Center.
The loss left quite an impression on Crilly, who committed to transfer to Liberty after spending the past year at Becker College, an NCAA Division III program in Worchester, Mass.
"It was crazy being able to play in that atmosphere as a junior hockey player," he said. "It was kind of overwhelming, seeing how great the fans are and how much they support the team. It was a really cool experience, something I'll never forget. Now I get to play there for every home game."
When Crilly attended Liberty's Hockey Recruitment Camp, held March 31-April 2 at LaHaye, he was sold on joining the program for his sophomore season, when he will continue his studies in Criminal Justice with aspirations of going to law school to become a sports or corporate lawyer.
"The experienced coaching staff is what drew me there," Crilly said. "They obviously know what they're doing and can help me become a better hockey player.
"Going to the camp and being able to see the new facilities and meet all the incoming players and most of the current team, including the captains, it was kind of a no-brainer," he added. "All the guys seem like great guys and the coaches were phenomenal. I had an amazing experience. I had zero complaints. It just seemed like the perfect fit."
The ice center, which underwent a major renovation since the first time he played in it on Sept. 5, 2014, was another bonus.
"The facilities are unbelievable there," said Crilly, who also stayed in the dorms and attended Convocation. "It was really cool, definitely one of the best if not the best college hockey arenas I've ever seen."
The spiritual aspect of the school and the program was the final selling point.
"I am extremely excited to not only become a better hockey player and student, but to also learn more about my faith and grow as a person," said Crilly, who grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
He started playing hockey in the Orange County Youth Hockey Club, along with current Flames forwards Zechariah Roberts and Zach Hayes.
"I've been playing roller hockey since I was 4 and ice hockey since I was 7," Crilly said. "Those are guys I have always enjoyed playing with, so it will be cool to play with them for the next three years."
He brings the number of players from California on next season's squad to four, nearly matching last year's total.
"The sport's definitely grown in California, especially with the Ducks and the Kings winning the Stanley Cup," he said. "A lot more people are becoming aware of hockey."
Crilly, 21, a 5-foot-10, 215-pound defenseman who played two seasons with the Ontario Avalanche from 2012-14, likes to contribute on both ends of the ice.
"I try to play an all-around game," Crilly said. "I like to think of myself as a pretty physical defenseman, and I am offensive-minded, but I pride myself on being sound defensively."
He expects to strengthen an already solid defensive corps and help lead the Flames back to the ACHA DI National Championships.
"This team definitely has the potential to do some big things," Crilly said. "I'm excited about the whole team. We have the talent to not only make the playoffs but to win it all. That's the common goal throughout the organization, and something we can definitely do.I think I have the potential to make a big impact and help us achieve that goal."
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
