WPIAL Alum Q&A – Danny Kucerovy
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Monday, March 27, 2017 | 10:49 PM
While the PIHL has produced numerous incredibly successful players over the past few decades, some of the most talented players do not participate in high-school hockey, instead electing to play on travel teams. That appeared to be the path that Daniel Kucerovy was going to take, until his junior year, when he was convinced by his friends and teammates to join the Bethel Park varsity team. Kucerovy made a big impact with the Black Hawks, and now he’s playing for Bentley University. Kucerovy is this week’s feature for the WPIAL Alum Q&A.
Kucerovy’s lone season with Bethel Park came in 2010-11, when he scored 21 goals and 15 assists in just 16 regular-season contests. He also appeared in two playoff tilts, scoring a pair of goals. Kucerovy played all three forward positions under head coach Jim McVay.
Following that campaign, Kucerovy played in the United States Hockey League, followed by the North American Hockey League. After honing his craft all across the county, he joined the college ranks in 2015, when he enrolled at Bentley University.
With Bentley, Kucerovy played in 31 games in his freshman campaign. For the season, he produced one goal, against Army West Point, and added a pair of assists. The Falcons compiled a mark of 14-20-6, including a conference record of 9-13-6. The Falcons won their Atlantic Hockey Tournament first-round best-of-three series against Sacred Heart. Bentley ultimately fell to Robert Morris University in three games in the quarterfinals, though.
This season, Kucerovy took a step back statistically, as he played in 15 games, providing just one assist. The Falcons were 13-19-7, and 10-12-6 in Atlantic Hockey Conference play. Once again, the team edged Sacred Heart in three games in the first round of the conference tournament, but lost to Air Force in two games in the quarterfinals.
Daniel took time from his schedule to answer questions about his team’s performance, how the PIHL aided his development, and who his favorite player was when he was growing up.
Q: What do you consider your greatest asset on the ice?
A: My flexibility to play any position on the ice, because of my hockey IQ.
Q: After playing in nearly every game last year, you’ve had a more limited role this season. How have you responded to that?
A: Try to keep positive and continue to work hard in practice to make my teammates and myself better, and to work for the next opportunity.
Q: In which area to you need to make the biggest improvement going forward?
A: Playing more consistent and up to my abilities
Q: How would you evaluate the team’s performance this year?
A: Our team was obviously not happy with the way we finished, but we went on a bit of a hot streak in 2017, so there is some positivity we can take out of the season when moving forward.
Q: Why did you choose to attend Bentley?
A: Academically and athletically, it just seemed like a good fit. Bentley has one of the top business programs in the country, which is what I’ve always wanted to pursue.
Q: What is your major and ideal future profession?
A: I am majoring in finance, and am interested in being a financial advisor.
Q: What was your fondest memory at Bethel Park?
A: My fondest memories at Bethel Park was being able to play hockey with my friends my junior year for one last season after growing up together, and moving back home to graduate my senior year.
Q: How did your season of PIHL play help your overall development?
A: Playing in the PIHL helped my overall development in the way that Coach McVay gave me every opportunity to play in all situations, which helped give me confidence in my abilities overall.
Q: How challenging was it to leave your high school to pursue your hockey goals?
A: It was challenging to leave my family and friends, but I knew it was what I needed to do to further my hockey career.
Q: Who is your favorite NHL player, currently or all time?
A: My favorite NHL player growing up was Ilya Kovalchuk
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
A: I’d say its more of a routine I’ve adopted, from taping my sticks to taking a lot of time to stretch and get dressed the same way.
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: My favorite TV show is Entourage.
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot, or a place you always wanted to go?
A: U.S. Pond Hockey Championships in Minnesota
Q: What is the best advice you ever received?
A: Good things come to people who work hard
Tags: Bethel Park
