March 12, 2010

By Becky Olsen
Special to USAHockey.com

It’s a good thing that U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 defenseman Frankie Simonelli decided that hockey was the sport for him. Otherwise, he might be playing another sport somewhere else.

“I started playing hockey when I was 2 years old and when I was little, I didn’t want to play,” Simonelli said. “My dad and brother played, but I was a little lazy and not really into it. Once I really got into it, I was hooked.”

So, if not hockey, then what other sports might we have seen Simonelli playing?

“Baseball and golf,” Simonelli laughed. “For me, teams were more fun, especially baseball.”

In all honesty, Simonelli has found his home patrolling the blueline for Team USA. It’s a job that he takes seriously despite playing some forward when he was growing up.

“I enjoy defense — the perspective of the whole ice and knowing that the team depends on you more as a defenseman,” commented 5-foot-10, 187-pounder from Bensenville, Ill. “You step into that role and are taking the whole game in.”

After moving away from home when he was 15 to attend the NTDP in Ann Arbor, Mich., Simonelli has his biggest supporters in his parents, Thomas and Kathleen, and his 21-year-old brother, Jeremy, who is attending paramedic school. Simonelli’s entire family continues to support him, attending as many games as possible and offering advice when necessary.

“It means everything to me,” Simonelli said of his family support. “It was hard moving away from home at 15. My family has supported me through all if it. I talk to them all the time so it is good to have close family.

“The one piece of advice I got from my family and the biggest thing for me is that this is a dream that my brother always had and never got it. I got it and take it with me and play for the family.”

Each time Simonelli is out on the ice, whether it is in practice or a game, he knows that his family and country are on the line.

“Every day represent your country. Every day, you are going to battle for each other,” Simonelli said on what it means to wear the USA jersey.

After appearing in 67 games and totaling 31 points (9 goals, 22 assists) with the U-17s last year, Simonelli has 13 points in 52 games this season.

“Playing for Team USA is a real honor. You have to take pride in it,” he said.

It is heart and honor that has given him one of the greatest memories for him so far with the NTDP. Hopefully, he will have an opportunity to make some more memories with the red, white and blue before this season is over.

“Last year, we went to St. Louis, a top team in our league at the time,” Simonelli said. “There was a lot going on with our team; we knew after that weekend, things would not be the same. We ended up splitting with St. Louis, winning the last game 1-0 and it was a great feeling. The way our team came together was awesome.”

Simonelli will continue his career next season at the University of Wisconsin. Surprisingly enough, a few common themes ran through his visit to Madison and making the commitment to the Badgers.

“It engulfed me — everything, the coaches, facilities,” Simonelli said. “And being two hours away from home, I can get my family support. Further, the history of Wisco and the players that they have moved on was a big reason for my decision.”

Simonelli got a chance to get an early look at the Badgers when the U-18s played in Madison in January.

“My nerves ran through me before and during the game,” Simonelli said of the 7-1 loss. “It was an intense game; it seemed to go by so fast. All of the sudden, it was over. It was one of the bigger games for me this season, and unfortunately we didn’t come out too well but it was an experience.”

For Simonelli, that attitude and commitment to hockey will take him far. He still has not forgotten where he came from and who his biggest supporters are in the stands — his family, cheering loudly and proudly.

Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.