After injury-plagued season, DiBrina hopes for better

Almost anything would be a better start to the season that what Sudbury native Adam DiBrina faced in his freshman year with the Curry College Colonels, an NCAA Division III entry located in Milton, Massachusetts.

Battling a torn groin injury before the 2014-2015 campaign even started, DiBrina missed the first eight games of the year, finishing with five points in 15 contests for the squad that ranked roughly middle of the pack in the ECAC North Atlantic Hockey Conference.

"I'm hoping my physicality and ability to score goals will lead to more opportunity on the ice, to help lead my team to a championship this season," noted the St. Charles College graduate in a recent email exchange.

"I'm expecting a larger role on the leadership side of things, that involves on and off the ice."

Undersized only in his younger days of competitive hockey, DiBrina now stands exactly six feet tall, rock solid at 190 pounds.

After competing for three years in the OJHL (Ontario Junior Hockey League), the 21-year-old northern lad has gained a true appreciation for the little things that can make such a difference at this level.

"Not too many guys are skating end-to-end anymore," said DiBrina. "It's the battles in the corners, and in front of the net, that will create scoring chances. Games are won by winning those battles."

Posting an in-conference record of 7-6-1 last year, the Colonels finished just one point back of the Johnson & Wales Wildcats (Providence, Rhode Island), and one point ahead of the Wentworth Leopards (Boston, Massachusetts).

"I felt as though our team underachieved last year," said DiBrina. "This upcoming season, we have around 20 returnees, and we expect nothing less than a championship. It's a big year for us, and I believe it is more than do-able."

With Curry College located some 15 minutes outside of Boston, DiBrina, who is pursuing a major in business management, with a concentration in sports management, is thoroughly enjoying his time south of the border.

"The relationships I have built here at Curry, with my teammates, as well as other students around school, are what truly has made my experience a great one," said DiBrina.

"The educational aspect has allowed me to flourish intellectually. With the school being so close to a city like Boston, it enhances the Curry College experience that much more."

DiBrina and company will open play this season on Halloween weekend, travelling to face the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons as well as the Babson College Beavers Oct. 30-31.