Five Local Players Highlight Worcester Sharks Training
By: Tim Dupuis

Five players from Massachusetts participated in day one of the Worcester Sharks Training Camp which kicked off in Marlboro on Tuesday. All five skaters also played their college hockey in the Northeast.

 

Defenseman Arthur Fritch from South Boston, MA spent last season with the Heerenveen Flyers of the Dutch Eredivise, the highest level of professional hockey in the Netherlands. He posted 6 goals and 14 assists for 20 points in 36 games played. He played his collegiate hockey at Colby College (NCAA DIV III).

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Forward John McCarthy, hailing from Andover, MA, played his college hockey with Boston University and was an important part of the Terriers lineup during his four year career. He finished with 14 goals and 31 assists in 154 games played and was named the teams “unsung hero” and captain during his senior season when the Terriors won the National Championship.

           

Forward Corey Quirk, from Brockton, MA is a former UMASS Amherst standout that played the endo of the 2008-09 season with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League. He tallied 7 points in 11 games played during his first season of professional hockey. He played his high school hockey in the area at Catholic Memorial High School. 

           

Defenseman Jeff Mason hails from Easthampton, MA. He played at the collegiate level with the Friars of Providence College. Mason was with the Gwinnett Gladiators of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) for the 2008-09 season. He was a major asset to the team playing in 71 games and earning 36 total points.

 

Forward Steve McClellan is from Milton, MA and was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2003. He Played prep school hockey at Cushing Academy before moving up to the collegiate level and playing with the Northeastern Huskies.

 

I was able to catch up with both John McCarthy and Jeff Mason on the first day of training camp. They both are excited to be able to play professionally near home where they can be close to family and friends.

Mason said, “It’s really a dream come true. I’m really lucky to be able to play in this area again after being so far from home the past couple of years.” He said that the best thing about being back in the Worcester area is being able to have his mother see him play. “My mom saw every game I played all the way through college but has only been able to see a few since, so I’m trying to make the best of this,” said Mason.

 

John McCarthy was the captain of the 2009 NCAA Division I National Championship winning Boston University Terriers. When asked about the experience of winning a championship he said, “We had a lot of fun last year and got really close as a team, it was the perfect way to end my career with BU.” He also said the best thing about being back home is being close to his family, “I’m excited for my family and friends to be able to see me play again like they did when I was growing up,” said McCarthy. He continued by saying, “The northeast is a great area to play hockey, I couldn’t pick a better place to continue my playing career.”

 

Make sure to root on the five Massachusetts players as the Sharks continue training camp this week in Marlboro!