Hello and welcome to BEHIND THE SHIELD, an article series where I, your host, Denzel Valera, will be sitting down with some of your favorite Worcester State Athletes to get to know a bit more about what is inside the mind of these athletes and what inspires and motivates them everyday.
On this week's episode I sat down with MASCAC All-Academic Team, Class of 2025, Goalkeeper, from Lake Placid NY., #1 Wyatt Friedlander.
To ease into the interview, I started off with some silky sauce passes for Wyatt:
DV: How did you find your love for Hockey?
Wyatt: I grew up in a big hockey town with a lot of hockey history. I started when I was 6 years old, on ice with chairs and hay bales. When I got older I started playing with friends and then found out I love the goalkeeping position.
Wyatt joins the Lancers after an illustrious career with the Springfield Pics. He is not the only Lancer to come from the Springfield Pics, as senior Mike Wilson, junior Matt Kowal are also former members of the program.
DV: What do you feel is better for your sport, weightlifting in the gym or calisthenics?
Wyatt: I think calisthenics is better for goalies, weightlifting is better for building muscle but calisthenics is better for goalie flexibility and understanding the body's limits.
DV: Why did you choose Worcester State University?
Wyatt: I played juniors for the Springfield pics in Springfield Mass. (shout out my Billet family Mr., Mrs. Foster) when I was at the pics my head coach was Rob Bonneau and he used to play at The University of Massachusetts-Amherst where Bob Deraney was the head coach. Coach Bonneau recommended me for Worcester State and coach Deraney and coach Coughlin came to see me and a few teammates play. After that I visited the school and I fell in love with the campus and the people around, after that I knew that this was the place I wanted to be.
DV: Would you rather have speed or strength?
Wyatt: I would rather have speed, being quick has a lot of benefits for goaltending especially at the higher levels. Kids can shoot the puck and if you're not quick you won't last.
DV: Do you feel as if it’s important to have a good connection with your teammates and have team building exercises, or, do you feel as if you’re a good player you should just be able to conform to the standards the team requires and exceed them?
Wyatt: Both are key but team bonding and having chemistry with teammates can get you farther than you would by yourself.
Getting to learn a bit more about Wyatt Friedlander has been fun, but there are some real personal questions we are going to skate into now.
DV: What's your favorite Movie and scene in the movie?
Wyatt: The Miracle, The Miracle speech
(Who has not seen that movie and not had excited chills at the scene, I’ll wait….)
DV: Who's your favorite hockey player, and how did they inspire you?
Wyatt: Jeremy Swayman, he is a young goalie playing at the highest level and stays humble and hungry to get better.
DV: What are your top 5 musical artists?
Wyatt:
Top 5 Musical Artists:
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AC/DC
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Morgan Wallen
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Paramore
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Sleepy Hollow
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Noah Kahan
DV: How does the NCAA Differentiate from playing back home?
Wyatt: It's much faster and harder with a lot of kids from around the world with different playstyles and skills. It's strict and has more pressure with less games. I had to get used to not playing as many games in a season and it's hard to stay locked in when you don't play as often.
Then we moved into a speed round (he should be used to this with those quick shots he has to always be on alert for….), five seconds to see what comes out……
DV: What's your favorite food?
Wyatt: The Dack Shack, #19 Table Top with rosemary garlic bread (shout out The Burns Family)
DV: Instead of making it pro, what is your dream job?
Wyatt: Being a business owner and/or a Golfer
(Surprise fact, Friedlander joined the Men’s Golf team this fall and looks to hit the course this Spring when the team returns to action)
DV: Where do you want to travel to?
Wyatt: Europe or Yosemite National Park
DV: What (Field, Stadium, Arena) would you like to play in?
Wyatt: Maddison Square Garden, or an NHL Winter Classic Game
DV: Who was your biggest role model growing up?
Wyatt: My Mom, she battled every day for me growing up and I owe her the world. Shout out my sister Addie as well who is killing it in the US Army.
DV: Who do you model your playstyle after?
Wyatt: Jeremy Swayman, Igor Shesterkin, Andrei Vasilevskiy
DV: What is your personal goal this upcoming season?
Wyatt: To have the fewest goals against in the entire league and to get off to a hot start.
DV: What is your team goal this upcoming season/regular season?
Wyatt: I'd love Worcester State University Hockey to have a great start beating every team in our personal series, winning the penalty game every night as well as special teams. We are bound to have a good year if we win those battles. I want our team to have fun and experience greatness together. I look forward to what's to come!
DV: Do you have any final remarks or comments?
Wyatt: It's an honor and privilege to be here at Worcester State and getting to work with some of the best around. I feel supported by my team, coaching staff, and students at WSU. I'm blessed to be able to do what I love while getting a degree, at a respected college and I'm upset I only have 2 years left. I love this place and the family that has been created.
Which is always exciting to hear as we all love having Wyatt Friedlander as a part of the Worcester State Ice Hockey team. Thanks for joining us in this issue of BEHIND THE SHIELD and I will see you next time we lower the SHIELD!