Eric DeLellis '16 Recruiting Profile

When I was 5 years old my Uncle bought me, " Learn to Play Hockey Lessons" for my birthday at my local rink.  On the first day, my mom laced up my skates and put me on the ice. I did nothing but fall down the entire time.  I came off the ice and told my mom "I want to quit".  She said, "okay, you have to go tell the coach you are quitting".  I was so scared to tell him, I decided to just keep trying. 13 years later, I am still playing the game that I absolutely love. My parents and I later told that coach about my wanting to quit, and to this day when he sees me he always says "Aren't you glad you didn't quit!"  My passion for the game began on that Saturday in September as a 5 year old and it has not gone away. Throughout my hockey career I have played AAA, AA and A and was the only starting freshman on my Varsity High School Team.

I feel that I would make an excellent candidate as a collegiate hockey player for many reasons. I am an extremely dedicated and hardworking player both on and off of the ice. I am consistently working towards goals to better my future whether it is a very small task or a very large one, I persist until it is complete. I hold myself to high standards in the classroom as well, hockey has always been a main focus of mine, but I do not let it become a detriment to my grades and work ethic as far as studies are concerned.  Although it took awhile, I feel that I have finally achieved a fair balance between hockey, school, extracurricular activities, and a bit of a social life.

I believe the one thing that sets me apart from other recruits is my leadership and passion for the game. Being one of the more experienced players on my high school team I feel a necessity to set an example for the younger guys on the team. I want to be someone these kids can look up to and come to for help whenever and for whatever they may need. Whether it is concerning hockey, school, or life. The A that I was given at the beginning of this season is so much more to me than just a letter or a patch. It gives me a sense of urgency to become a dependable and respectable leader both on and off of the ice.

My achievment's include: multiple MVP awards, Received a Memorial Award for Most Improved Player on high school team my freshman year, being on teams that have won multiple DVHL championships, have been part of teams that have come in first or second in countless hockey tournaments. I believe one of my greatest achievements was being on a Gold Medal winning team last year in Lake Placid, and most recently, having a undefeated season and winning the  Atlantic District Championship with my Quakers team. This season (2015/2016) I was chosen as Captain of both my school and Club team, which is an honor.

As I have said before I try my hardest whether it is on or off the ice and this includes an education. This year has been a very good year for me in school in terms of getting good grades. So far this year I have gotten all A’s and B’s. I plan to continue striving to do the best that I can throughout the rest of my high school year.  Next year is my senior year and I will be pushing myself harder by taking more challenging classes such as an AP class to help prepare me for college even more. I plan on attending and graduating from a four year college.

I have many interests off the ice too. I’m a big outdoorsman, I love to go both hunting and fishing. I just love being outdoors doing just about anything from shooting pucks at the net,  hanging out with friends, doing community work or even just helping a neighbor with raking leaves, cutting grass, or help with shoveling snow.  I live about an hour and a half from the Jersey Shore, where my grandparents reside and  I spend a lot of time down there during the summer. I have a part time job at the Grassy Sound Marina, where I have been working for the last 3 years. When I'm not fishing or working I also enjoy surfing.

My dream is to play college hockey. I will do whatever is necessary to make that dream a reality.