Franklin Berry '19 Recruiting Profile

As a hockey player, I aspire to be as good as I can possibly be.   What makes me different from the average hockey player is my keen game intelligence.  My game relies on my speed and capability to assess a situation.   Any coach who I ever played for will also tell you that no one works harder than I do on the ice.  I'm really proud of that.  What I do best is my most important job - keep their puck out of our net.

My college goals are to play NCAA college hockey at the highest level I am able to earn the opportunity to play and to pursue a degree in Architecture, Urban Planning or a major that will prepare me to pursue my M.Arch degree when hockey is done.   I attended a STEM / Project Lead the Way engineering and science magnet school from grades 6 through 9, where the math and science curriculum were accelerated and engineering was a core class. My traditional high school experience from grades 10 through 12 where at Project Lead the Way affiliated high schools and has included STEM PLTW architecture elective classes.

I play defense because I love defense.   I love shutting down my opponent.  I love protecting my goalie.  I love keeping my opponents out of my zone and our crease and crushing them when they enter it.  I also really love playing the Kill.  I'm always proud to play that special team and shutting down opponent power plays, especially 3 on 5.   Bobby Orr is one of my greatest influences.  I want to be a scoring defenseman and make an impact on both ends of the ice.  But as a stubborn defenseman, I am most proud of the pucks that do not go in the net.

My ideal college experience will be a blend of  hockey and academics, because my future goals are a blend of hockey and academics.  I want to take both to the highest possible level.  So, I aspire to be a balanced student-athlete, which I feel I was throughout high school. Hockey and homework.   Everything else is a bonus.  My father taught me that,  if you want to be AS good as everybody else, then do what everybody else does.  But if you want to be BETTER than everybody else, do more.  When the sacrifices that have to be made come up, my Mom says, "if it were easy, everybody would do it."  But, to make those sacrifices and put in that extra time is 100% my choice.  I strive to be the best because it doesn't make sense to me to be in it if that's not what you're trying to be.

I have no regrets.  Some of my best experiences in school have been a few teachers who really inspired me -- and who I will never forget --  and classmates that have made my classes challenging and fun.  I feel the same way about hockey.  I have coaches who have taught me, pushed me, helped me develop and know that feeling of taking it to the next level.  I have teammates who have made me a better player, a better teammate and a better friend.  They have all let me experience the joy of this game with them.

My first year playing with a juniors program was one of the most intense learning experiences I ever had.  It made me realize that I need to really own this journey and every choice I make along the way.  My goal as a juniors player has been to put myself in the best possible  position to develop as an athlete and a player.  I am staying laser focused on my goals, continuing to aim high and ready to put in the effort to get there.  I am grateful for all the people who have influenced me along the way, for the support of my family, coaches and teammates and for the opportunity to have this amazing experience.  Right now, I stay focused on the goal right in front of me and do the work, every day.  I'm excited to see where this journey leads me next.

Thank you for taking the time to read my profile.  

Sincerely,

Franklin Berry