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01/09/2024 11:04 AMLorenzo Defilio is a great advocate of the communal concept of a hockey squad, along with the satisfying feeling of winning–two things he is experiencing a great wealth of this winter in the young campaign for the East Haven boys’ ice hockey co-op team.
The junior started on the ice as young as three years old, while picking up another stick in the lacrosse variety along the way. This year, Lorenzo has lunged right into the offensive output of the 5-0 Yellowjackets, who tallied 32 goals in that five-game stretch, by notching a hat trick in a road 10-2 win over E.O. Smith-Tolland on Dec. 16.
“Hockey I think creates a real family more than other sports, because I have always had that same feeling with every hockey team I have played on,” says Lorenzo. “It is such a fun sport and winning is contagious. One thing that has helped me is staying committed to the team. Committing to anything in life will get you far. We play about two games a week, and practice four days a week. The guys here on this team are committed, and want to bring home a [state championship] ring.”
The venue for where Lorenzo lit the lamp three times was personal for him. He details that not only did his linemates help get him cooking, but he has been fired up by an enhancement in his agility and other abilities through naturally generated confidence.
“Playing at UConn that night was big for me; I want to play there and my mom went there,” Lorenzo says. “I have confidence, and it is lifted even more when that light goes up after a goal. I work so well on the top line, and my speed and my shot has worked so well for me this year. My confidence has taken me a long way, and I have become more confident in my shot and speed. I am excited where I am right now, and my skill sets are coming around this year.”
Of course, it is not always a road paved with highlights and accolades. So when the inevitable adversity rears its head as a speed bump, Lorenzo accelerates over it seemingly effortlessly by keeping his nose to the grindstone.
“I have always been challenged by adversity in life,” says Lorenzo. “I just keep my head down and keep driving. Sometimes in life or a game, things will not go your way, so I try to keep my game very disciplined.”
Head Coach Lou Pane pontificates that Lorenzo has a great deal of agility and just the right sense to score when around the net. He additionally is an uplifting presence off the ice that translates to a great emotional energy upon it.
“Lorenzo has exceptional speed with a great scoring touch,” says Pane. “He is truly a pleasure to have on our team. Lorenzo is helping out with the chemistry on our top line. He makes the locker room fun, and is able to transfer that feeling successfully on the ice.”
Playing alongside fellow forwards in senior captains John D’Albero and Griffin McGlinchey, Lorenzo loves how well each member of the trio complements the others in procuring a prolific offensive unit. He explains while the communication is loud and clear between the blue lines, it is even more prevalent in the room.
“I played on a lower line my freshman year, and then walking into the door this year, I knew I had to earn it and the boys welcomed me,” Lorenzo says. “They were also grateful for me, and John and Griffin are great guys. Griffin just battles out there, and John can do so much with the puck. They are lethal guys on offense. We also all chat with each other off the ice and in the locker room.”
Even still with his tremendous successes on the rink, Lorenzo keeps himself grounded and focused on paper and in the books with his academics. Much like the fast-moving frenzy that is a game of high school hockey, he explains the locomotive method reigns true in life.
“I have always been told that grades are more important than sports, and so I believe in that,” says Lorenzo. “You also have to keep moving in life. No matter what happens, you have to keep your head down and power through. If we take the same mentality with this team, we can go far. If we keep battling, we can find a way to win it all.”
Speaking even more in depth to his squad’s postseason aspirations and objectives, Lorenzo and the Yellowjackets have started the grind back when the mercury was not conducive to playing hockey. Each and every member of the club has had their eye on the lone prize.
“So many of us have been together since about the middle of the summer,” Lorenzo says. “Everyone sees our goals and the bigger picture. Our only mindset is to win a state title this season.”