Photo by Heather O’Connell
By Alexis Demopoulos
Defenseman Brody Finnegan of the Mercer Chiefs was thrilled to announce his NCAA Division III commitment to Elmira College for the 2025-26 season.
Finnegan, a Fort Bragg, N.C., native, signed with the Chiefs this season and has had a very positive experience. In 47 games played, Finnegan has 27 points (4 goals, 23 assists) and has been an intricate part of the blue line all season.
The Chiefs have been successful this season, finishing the regular season with a 38-15-1-0 record in 54 games and Finnegan credits the team’s success to the culture that the coaching staff has built.
“The Mercer Chiefs organization is awesome,” said Finnegan. “I really can’t say enough good things about my Coach/GM Rob Broderick. The culture he has built over the years in Mercer is outstanding. Coach Broderick, Kevin St. Jacques, and J.T. Tarantino are not only amazing hockey coaches but also great mentors. They truly care about the players beyond the hockey world and it shows in the chemistry of our team. They were all a huge help with achieving my goal to play college hockey. The team that Coach Broderick has assembled this year is why I think we are so successful, and I’m so grateful I’ve had the opportunity to play for the Chiefs.”
Finnegan started communicating with the Elmira coaching staff around Christmas time and the talks really took off from there.
“Coach Mike Grace came out to see me play in Wilkes-Barre and then asked me on a visit early in February on one of my off weekends,” said Finnegan. “I think the coaches liked my overall physical game and how I was somewhat of a two-way defenseman, knowing when to jump in the offensive side of the game.”
In talking to alumni and some current players at Elmira, Finnegan knew he wanted to be a part of the hockey culture and also found he could thrive there academically.
“The amazing hockey culture in the town of Elmira was a big factor and I’ve heard a ton about their traditions,” said Finnegan. “I’m interested in studying Business Administration in college and they offer a great amount of classes to help pursue that degree.”
Next year at Elmira, Finnegan hopes to continue being a role player on and off the ice and do whatever he can to help the team succeed.
“I want to keep stepping up and just doing whatever it takes to help my team win,” said Finnegan. “Whether that’s staying back as a defensive defenseman, or jumping in to help with the offense.”
Finnegan still has some unfinished business to attend to with his team about to begin the playoffs in a few weeks and he is hoping they can bring home the Dineen Cup.
“We need to just keep getting pucks deep, continuing to work hard every day to get better as a team so we can bring the first championship title home to the Mercer Chiefs organization,” said Finnegan.
The NCDC congratulates Brody Finnegan, his family, the Mercer Chiefs and Elmira College for
his commitment.
