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Domenick Fensore Learns to Use His Size to His Advantage

By Becky Olsen, 05/22/18, 1:15PM EDT

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A smaller defenseman, Fensore has worked on strength and skating


Photo by Rena Laverty

For Domenick Fensore, it was his dad Dom that started him on his hockey career path. Since that little introduction, there has been no looking back.

“I started when I was about 4,” he explained. “My dad got me into it and I’m happy he did. My dad is from the Bronx so he grew up playing baseball and some roller hockey.”

The younger Fensore played other sports too, but everything came back to his love affair at the rink and on the ice.

“I played lacrosse, baseball and basketball,” said Fensore, who grew up in Thornwood, New York. “I liked baseball a lot, but I wanted to play hockey. Hockey won out. I love when I am on the ice, feeling the wind and the blade in the ice.”

As with most young players, defense wasn’t Fensore’s first position. But nowadays, he loves his place on the blue line.

“I was a forward until I was almost 12 then I moved to defense,” he said. “I liked seeing the ice and skating with the puck and making plays. I love defense now.”

One of the toughest parts for Fensore in his first year with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program was learning how to make the most of his size against the older players in the United States Hockey League. After all, Fensore stands in at just 5-foot-6 and 148 pounds.

“Being a smaller defenseman, you have to use your skating well and you have to earn every inch more than them,” he said. “You have to work harder than them. I really tried to do that this year.”

He credits the team’s training, especially the off-ice conditioning, as a big reason behind his success on the ice this season.

“It’s been unbelievable,” said Fensore. “Darryl [Nelson, strength & conditioning coach] has been nothing but great to us. Starting offseason now, it’s getting harder. You really have to dial in and work hard so you can get bigger and faster for next year.

As he reflected back on his first season at the NTDP, he realized just how much his game has grown since arriving in Plymouth in late August. He said the credit goes to the coaching staff and watching video.

“I think my defensive game has gotten a lot better,” said Fensore, who finished with two goals and 31 points in 62 games this season. “Coach Wrobo [John Wroblewski], Coach [Greg] Moore and Coach [Kevin] Lind have really tried to cut down some stuff that I do. I listened to them and made some changes to my game.


Domenick's Favorites

Favorite NHL Team
New York Rangers

Favorite NHL Player
Erik Karlsson

Favorite Movie
When the Game Stands Tall 

Favorite Celebrity
Kevin James

Favorite Musical Artist
Drake

Favorite Netflix Binge
Friday Night Lights 

Favorite Book
Boys of Winter

Favorite Home-Cooked Meal
Chicken cutlets 


“We have definitely watched a lot of video this year. It just shows you what little things you need to do right. You are on the ice and you might now see it. They can really break it down to make sure you are doing the right thing. It’s been good.”

Fensore also took to heart some advice from his head coach.

“Coach Wrobo always talks about competing for one another,” he said. “That really makes me want to battle for my brothers and be around them and do the best so we can win.”

This advice and mentality came in very handy during the USHL playoffs for Fensore and his teammates. The Under-17s won their second-round series against the Chicago Steel before falling to the Youngstown Phantoms in the Eastern Conference Final.

“We have definitely watched a lot of video this year. It just shows you what little things you need to do right. You are on the ice and you might now see it. They can really break it down to make sure you are doing the right thing. It’s been good.”

That really makes me want to battle for my brothers and be around them and do the best so we can win.

Fensore also took to heart some advice from his head coach.

“Coach Wrobo always talks about competing for one another,” he said. “That really makes me want to battle for my brothers and be around them and do the best so we can win.”

This advice and mentality came in very handy during the USHL playoffs for Fensore and his teammates. The Under-17s won their second-round series against the Chicago Steel before falling to the Youngstown Phantoms in the Eastern Conference Final.

“We lost five of our best players to the U18 team so we really had to come together as a unit and not as individuals,” he said. “People had to step up and be leaders. We had to battle for each other and I think we did that. Even though we lost, we knew that it had to come to an end sometime. It was a good year.”

Fensore has plenty of memories from his U17 year, but one particular thing really sticks out to him.

“The U17 World Challenge [in British Columbia] in November was exciting,” he said. “Honestly, all three international tournaments were so much fun. Playing at the other countries and beating them, it is a special feeling. It’s very cool."



Photo by Rena Laverty


One thing never changes for him and that is how much pride he has each and every day when he puts on the colors of his country.

“Every day, it’s just amazing. You are playing for your country and playing for the NTDP is an honor. It’s very humbling to wear the jersey every day,” he said.

But Fensore isn’t satisfied with where he is at in terms of his game. He knows that he has to work twice as hard as the next guy to make sure he has success on the ice. To that end, he has some very specific summer plans.

“I’m going to try and get stronger,” he said. “Because I am a smaller guy, I have to be stronger on the ice and not afraid to do anything. I want to work on both my shot and my skating and try to stay in shape.”

For Fensore, his heart and drive will always make up for his size on the ice.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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