Student-Athlete Spotlight: Pat Murphy '29
By Reese Smith
With the start of the season approaching, Stonehill student-athlete Pat Murphy is preparing to take the ice with a strong foundation built both on and off the rink.
Pat Murphy grew up learning from the people closest to him. Now through teaching hockey to younger children, friends and fellow teammates who are on the ice, the 20-year-old Stonehill College sophomore is finding ways to pass along the love for the game.
For Murphy, growing up with older brothers and looking up to his father gave him people to learn from. His experiences away from home, along with his job teaching young skaters how to play hockey, have shaped his approaches to new situations as he builds his future.
Murphy has two older brothers, Matthew and Stephen, whom he has always looked up to and learned from. One of those influences came through hockey. Murphy’s love for the sport eventually led to the difficult decision to leave home at the age of 17.
“When you realize it's for your career, it's worth it.” Murphy said.
Murphy moved to Victoria, British Columbia for two years to play hockey for the Victoria Grizzles and eventually the Cranbrook Bucks.
Being away from his family was not easy, but the experience was one of the obstacles he learned to overcome. This forced him to become more independent. He had to adjust to a new environment while continuing to pursue what he cares about. The experience taught him how to adapt and become more flexible with unfamiliar circumstances.
The ability to adapt is one of the qualities Murphy likes most about himself. He describes his flexibility in different situations as one of his strongest characteristics. Whether it is dealing with the unexpected, meeting new people or facing a challenge, Murphy believes he can adjust well and succeed.
Hockey has also influenced one of his favorite movies, The Miracle on Ice, which connects with Murphy’s appreciation for the sport and the lessons that come along with being on a team. The movie shows that individual talent can only take a team so far, and success comes when players are working as a team.
Now at Stonehill College, Murphy is pursuing a finance degree while playing on the Division 1 hockey team as he prepares for his life after college. Murphy says he followed a path that many students around him were following because he hopes it will lead to a good career.
His experiences suggest that his path is more than simply finding a job. From leaving home to play hockey in Canada to working with young skaters, He has repeatedly found himself in situations where he must adjust, learn and grow. Murphy will hopefully continue to pass lessons, skill, integrity and perseverance along to his new freshman teammates.
As he continues his college career, Murphy is still deciding exactly what exactly his future will look like, But the experiences he has so far and the influence of his family especially his brothers have helped him shape the person he is becoming.
“The way my brothers helped me get me where I am, made me want to help others.” Murphy said.
For Murphy, his goals are straightforward, graduate, get a good job, and build a good future for himself. If the past has any indication of the future, he will be ready for wherever life takes him.
Stonehill men's hockey had their first game last Friday against Providence College where they displayed hard work on and off the ice. There is so much to look forward to with Murphy and his teammates as we wish them the best of luck this season. The team's dedication is one aspect that makes Stonehill hockey worthwhile.
Comments