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10/06/2016 12:00 AMVinny Paolillo has loved sports ever since he was a toddler. Vinny started skating with his twin sister Tina when he was just two years old. He loved hockey so much that he’s been playing year-round ever since.
“I just love the sport,” says Vinny. “It’s a fun sport to play, it’s competitive, and it’s fun being around my teammates, who I have played with forever.”
While competing in the East Haven Youth Hockey program, Vinny not only played alongside teammates who were from the town, but people who came from many surrounding towns, as well. Vinny’s youth teams were successful and won state and New England championships at the mite, squirt, pee wee, and bantam levels.
“Now we’re looking to get one for midgets,” says Vinny. “From a young age, I’ve played alongside my close friends and they stick with you all the way through.”
When it came time to go to high school, Vinny spent his freshman year at East Haven, where he played football, hockey, and baseball. Many of his teammates, though, went to Notre Dame in West Haven. After playing for the Yellowjackets’ hockey squad in his freshman year, Vinny decided to rejoin his former teammates and transferred to Notre Dame. As a sophomore, Vinny was a starter for the Green Knights’ hockey team.
“The team chemistry was already there because everyone already knew each other,” says Vinny. “The coaches were very welcoming.”
Hockey wasn’t the only influential factor in Vinny choosing to transfer to Notre Dame. In 7th grade, one of Vinny’s close friends and football teammates, Nico Ragaini, encouraged Vinny to try lacrosse. Vinny had previously played the sport in North Haven and New Haven and, upon transferring to Notre Dame, he decided to hang up his baseball cleats and join the Green Knights’ lacrosse squad. He also stopped playing football to focus on offseason hockey.
“Hockey is my main focus, but lacrosse is a lot like hockey, and it’s just as fun,” says Vinny, an attack who was one of the team’s top three goal-scorers as a junior. “I haven’t put as much of an effort into lacrosse as I have for hockey, so I was pretty successful at it.”
Notre Dame’s lacrosse team reached the quarterfinals of states before losing to Barlow last year. Vinny is hoping to end his senior season on a high note with goals of making All-SCC and All-State, along with “taking a run at the state championship.”
AJ Alessi, the lacrosse coach at Notre Dame, has seen Vinny work hard to create scoring opportunities.
“Vinny is a strong dodger and he is a tough attackman that can really get to the goal and create shots for himself,” says Alessi. “He is a great teammate and works hard every day.”
Vinny also has state title aspirations with Notre Dame’s hockey team in the winter season. Last year, Notre Dame lost in the semifinals to Darien, which went on to win the state championship. Vinny notes that Notre Dame had beaten Darien during the regular season.
“We had the potential and talent to win the state championship. We knew we could’ve beaten them,” says Vinny, who plays both center and wing. “We definitely want to win the state championship this year.”
Vinny earned All-SCC and New Haven Register All-State honors in his junior campaign. This year, he hopes to repeat those accolades and feels excited to lead the Green Knights as a senior captain.
“Being named captain feels great,” says Vinny. “I feel like I led the team last year without the letter on my chest. It’s the same as it’s always been, but with even more responsibility with leading the team. I’ve led the team throughout my high school career, helped the team win, and contributed to scoring.”
Although sports keep Vinny busy, he’s worked hard in school and is an honors student. He’s also a Peer Counselor and a member of Brothers Reaching Others, the Stock Market Club, and the Table Tennis Club.
“It’s not easy. I don’t have much time on my hands, but when I get time, I study, do my homework,” says Vinny, who also volunteers with the East Haven Youth Hockey Association and at the food bank. “Brothers Reaching Others helps me connect with the younger students in school and being a Peer Counselor allows you to work with freshmen and lead them in the right direction.”
Looking at his athletic career, Vinny knows that he’s had many strong influences leading him in the right direction, while getting plenty of support from his coaches, his parents, and his sister.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be surrounded by such great athletes and coaches throughout my athletic career,” says Vinny. “My sister has been there every step of the way throughout my life and competing with me since we were born. My parents have been driving me all over the state, country, and New England region since I was three, all so I could play a sport, which is pretty crazy. They also pay for my equipment and ice time. Some kids don’t have that support. I’m lucky to have them there with me the entire way.”