Special to SharksAHL.com

 

Standing 6’4 inches tall, without his skates on, Worcester defenseman Nick Petrecki is a formidable figure on the ice. Off the ice, Petrecki is just as formidable, making a big difference in the lives of children across the greater Worcester community. Through the “Be a Leader” and “Reading is Cool” programs, Petrecki has joined in the Sharks effort to connect with children.

 

“I started out with the programs through guys on the team like Mike Moore who was heavily involved with the programs last season,” said Petrecki. “Mike Myers (director of youth hockey and community relations) does a tremendous job of setting these types of opportunities up for us to participate and I told him that anytime he needs someone, I’ll be there.”

 

Now in its third year, the “Be a Leader” program presented by the Law Firm of Abigail Williams and Associates is the Worcester Sharks Flagship Educational initiative designed to educate children grades 4-6 in Central Massachusetts on the importance of developing strong leadership skills. It shows students the benefits of working hard, sacrifice, taking care of yourself, and other attributes found in being a successful leader. The players and an Abigail Williams and Associates representative commit themselves to building leaders in the community.

 

“It can be difficult sometimes with the older kids, but when you get a group of kids that want to be there and want to listen to what you have to say, it’s very rewarding,” Petrecki said of the program. “The program is awesome and it’s a benefit for us players to have an organization like the Worcester Sharks that commits itself to the community. It’s a win-win for everyone. It’s great for the kids, great for us, and it’s great to have programs here with the Sharks where we are able to do things like this.”

 

Prior to joining the Sharks, Petrecki was heavily involved in his community. At Boston College, he joined with teammates in countless service initiatives that included meeting with children and visiting local hospitals. 

 

“I remember as a kid having people come in to speak to us and how cool it was that they did that,” remembered Petrecki. “I loved when they would come in and it’s nice to be able to return the favor now that I’m older. We were always out in the community at BC and now we’re just as active here with the Sharks.” 

 

Myers recognizes Petrecki’s value to the programs. “It’s nice to have a player, a rookie especially, who is so willing to engage with the surrounding community,” Myers commented. “Nick has embraced his spot of being a role model on and off the ice.”

 

One program Petrecki especially enjoys is the “Reading is Cool” program which allows the players to go into K-3 classrooms, spending time with the students, and sharing their favorite books with the class. As one could imagine, the children are in awe of Petrecki.

 

“We always get funny questions such as how tall I am, how many times I fight, and how many goals I’ve scored,” joked Petrecki. “We were in Needham recently and one little kid joked how I’m almost as tall as Abraham Lincoln and it’s these little things that make it worthwhile.”

 

With the time commitment at the professional level being so great, it would be easy for players not to take the time out and get involved in the community. However, with players like Moore, who was named the team’s “Man of the Year” for his contributions last season, and Petrecki, Sharks players have started a strong tradition of community service. 

 

“It’s definitely a personal preference for players to get involved, with some of them having very little time off,” Petrecki said. “But for me, I have some free time and doing stuff like this is a productive way of breaking up the monotony of the schedule.”

 

“Nick is a very mature 20-year old who is eager to get involved,” Myers spoke of Petrecki. “He’s very similar to Mike in the sense that they both came to the Sharks young, but extremely mature, and both have been fantastic in donating their time for these events. They both understand the value of giving back and are great fits for this type of work.”

 

For Petrecki, who just this past week registered his first professional goal against Syracuse, the results are starting to show on the ice. Yet, one of the fiercest guys on the ice for the Sharks is also one of the nicest off it. And whenever there is an opportunity for community involvement, he’ll be there.