By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com
Hunter Scanlon has lifted the USPHL Premier Championship trophy, he’s scored more points than any other USPHL Premier defenseman, and he’s pretty much seen it all over a fantastic three-year career. With all those boxes checked, it’s time for him to test a whole new proving ground for success, as he’ll move on to NCAA Division III hockey with the UMass-Dartmouth Corsairs.
The 2003-born native of Rockford, Ill., couldn’t be happier to be able to contribute to the Corsairs program located on the South coast of Massachusetts.
“I decided to commit to UMass-Dartmouth because of how great the couple of guys we got to meet were to us. The coaches were great to talk to and I just felt like I knew them pretty well right when I started talking to them,” said Scanlon. “I was comfortable the entire time I was at the rink as well as on campus with Coach Erik [Noack] or any of the players we got to meet. They also have a group of people that are there to help all of the players with recovery and staying healthy and that’s a big plus when the games get even more physical. I felt like I belonged there and that the coaches wanted me there, which is an amazing feeling.”
He certainly felt wanted as a true competitor while playing for three seasons in two programs under Jr. Rangers Head Coach Mike Stanaway. It all culminated in lifting the Premier championship trophy in March as the Rangers won the Premier title for the first time in team history. En route to that Cup, Scanlon set the record for most points in a career by a Premier defenseman with 212 points in 173 regular season games, also good for seventh all-time in league history. Scanlon also became the first Premier defenseman to pass 100 points with 108 this year, a mark that stands eighth overall.
“Playing with CJR was a great experience – everyone that you talk to in the organization was happy to have us there and wanted us to win. We had great on-ice coaching with the three different styles of coaching and three different ways to teach everyone a system that will work out in your favor,” said Scanlon. “They all would take time out of their day to help you if you asked for it. Learning from Mike, Jimmy, and Machy made me a better player in all aspects of the game. Having any of them on your side will help you succeed at the next level.
“Getting to pick Mike Stanaway’s brain for three years will make adapting to the next level so much easier, as he knows how the game can change minute by minute but also knows how the game is played at the college level. He will make everyone ready for the college level if you give him enough time and you put the effort in all year,” he added.
Lifting The Trophy
He certainly did that, and when it came time to make the trip to the USPHL National Championships last spring, he was there for his team on every end, including 10 points in nine games. His 23 points in 20 career playoff games are eighth all-time in USPHL Premier postseason history. When March 26, 2024, rolled around, Scanlon no longer had his eyes on the prize. His hands were on it.
“The National Championships were an incredible experience. Every team there was so fun to watch and all the amazing people that were working the event really made the experience. Winning the National Championship is one of the moments in my life I will never forget. Every few hours I feel like something will bring me back to that day and remind me of winning that championship,” said Scanlon. “Records can be broken by anyone anywhere but the experience is yours forever, no one can take that away from you. The group of guys I got to do it with was special as well. A lot of us came with Stanaway because we believed we had something to prove, so we did by winning the whole thing. Seeing everyone so happy in one place is one of the greatest things you can work for.”
Alongside Scanlon in the winners circle was three-year teammate Blake Kashark, another Illinois native who went east to New York first and then to Connecticut. Now, Kashark and Scanlon will again be teammates at UMass-Dartmouth as both made their commitments to be Corsairs.
“Blake Kashark (Sharky) is one of the most genuine guys you can spend a day with. He will work harder than anyone you know. Being able to play with him for the next four years is going to be amazing. Playing with him for the last three years and now getting to continue with him is something I look forward to. He is a guy to always fall back on and be able to talk to about anything in the locker room,” added Scanlon. “Just having a guy that will do anything for the team is the best thing any team can ask for, and that’s what you’ll get with this kid. Sharky is a great guy and a great player. You can’t forget how much he did for the team this past year, including scoring the tying goal in the national championship game. I couldn’t ask for a more clutch performer, the kid was sick for the whole week and still fought through it and found a way to help the team in a positive way.”
Scanlon knows that just getting a commitment and enrolling at a school is only one step towards becoming an NCAA athlete. Summertime will be busy for him as he works to become an impact player from Day 1 in Dartmouth, Mass.
“I’m going to be working hard all summer to try and prepare my body for the next level,” said Scanlon. “I’m mainly trying to better my footspeed and overall speed on the ice but also not forgetting to work on the things that made me successful. But, overall, I am trying to work on my speed and control of my body. Every level just gets faster so you have to be able to keep up, which is something I will have to do. I’m very excited to start the next chapter of my hockey career and I know I have to work to be a better player.”
The USPHL congratulates Hunter Scanlon, his family, the Connecticut Jr. Rangers and UMass-Dartmouth for his NCAA commitment.
