UNH Commit Brendan Fitzgerald: A Puck-Moving, Well-Rounded Defenseman

Brendan Fitzgerald
2022 or '23 UNH Commit

"Smooth, composed, high IQ defenseman..savvy, puck moving, well-rounded..has great balance and quickness..strong stick to steal pucks and break up plays." Neutral Zone

"(Brendan) has good hockey sense, solid puck decisions and vision, shows toughness, reliable defensive game and adds on the offensive side." Russ Bitely, Scout, HockeyProspect.com

Brendan Fitzgerald Defenseman, 5'11", 161 lbs. Shoots Left Hometown: North Reading, Massachusetts DOB: 3-6-2003 Turned 17 in March 2019 USHL Futures Draft: 8th Round (117th Overall) by Chicago Steel 2019 QMJHL American Draft: 2nd Round (24th Overall) by Val-d'Or Foreurs Neutral Zone Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Current Team: Governor's Academy (NEPrep)                        ~ Defense Commits to UNH: August, 2020 at Age 17 years, 5 months.

2019-20 Highlight Reel

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview Brendan Fitzgerald, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:

Mike Lowry: Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. What are the main reasons you chose UNH?

Brendan Fitzgerald: I chose UNH because when I toured in early March I just loved the campus and then I attended the game that night against BC and loved the atmosphere in the rink. I really liked Coach Souza and his staff and I feel they will really help me develop as a defenseman. It just felt like the right fit for me. I also like that they have a good business school and many majors to choose from.

Mike Lowry: What other college programs did you consider during the recruiting process? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

Brendan Fitzgerald: I also visited UConn. Merrimack and UConn were the two other schools that offered me on August 1. They are both great schools and I considered every option, but in the end I went with my gut and the school that felt the best for me.

Lowry: Your two older brothers, Ryan and Casey, committed to Boston College when they were freshmen at Malden Catholic High School and went on to have outstanding college careers at The Heights. What advice did they provide as you were making your decision?

Fitzgerald: My brothers offered me a great perspective when it came to making a decision. Go someplace that they want you and that you feel a connection to. They just want me to enjoy the whole process and enjoy my whole college experience.

Lowry: Have you and the UNH coaches agreed on a target date for you to enroll as a freshman at UNH and join the team?

Fitzgerald: We discussed just being ready for D1 college hockey. If I am ready after I graduate high school in 2022, then they will bring me in. It all depends on my development in the next 2 years.

Lowry: At this stage in your hockey development, what are the main strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?

Fitzgerald: I would say my main strength is my puck moving ability, whether it be breaking out from my own end, transitioning through the neutral zone, or making plays in the offensive zone. I also feel defending the rush is a strength.
I am working hard to improve my skating, become more explosive out of my own end and working on my overall strength.

Lowry: When your Dad - Tom Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President and General Manager, New Jersey Devils - was a year older than you are now, he was selected by the New York Islanders in the 1st Round of 1986 NHL Draft. After two productive years at Providence College, he had a long and distinguished playing career with seven NHL teams. What's the best advice he's given you about playing hockey?

Fitzgerald: My Dad has given me a lot of advice over the years, but one thing I always remember is him saying “less is more”. He has constantly taught me not to over handle pucks and try to do too much.

Lowry: Last season, as a sophomore at Governor's Academy, you were one of the top scoring defensemen in New England Prep School Hockey with 7 goals and 25 assists in 32 games. Do you anticipate returning to Governor's for your junior year?

Fitzgerald: I am returning to Governor's for my junior year and hoping that prep school hockey has a season.

Lowry: In May, 2019, the Chicago Steel selected you in the 8th round (117th overall) of the USHL Futures Draft. Do you anticipate playing in the USHL before enrolling at UNH?

Fitzgerald: I am taking it year by year and will see what is best for my development and to prepare me to play at UNH.

Lowry: Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Governor's Academy students were not able to return to campus following the March break. The hockey team's season had already been completed but academics continued via distance learning. How has the extended pandemic affected you, both on and off the ice?

Fitzgerald: The extended pandemic has been challenging. Like everyone, I had to adjust to remote learning and it was definitely harder to focus being at home with my 3 older brothers around and not in the classroom. The positives are that I have spent a lot of time with my brothers, working out and shooting pucks. The extended time has also allowed me to really focus on strength training for a much more extended time than other years. With no tournaments, national camps or any other games, my focus has been in the gym as much as possible and skating two to three times a week.

Neutral Zone Scouting Report

USA Hockey Select 16 National Camp, July 2019

"Fitzgerald had an impressive showing here as a savvy, puck moving, well-rounded defenseman. He has great balance and quickness defensively to stay tight on his opponent and has a strong stick to steal pucks and break up plays. He has four way mobility and makes great first steps in every direction to get to pucks quick, close on opponents and maintain his gaps through the neutral zone. His backwards acceleration off the blue line is excellent and allows him to be more aggressive and hold the line longer than most. He trusts his feet and knows that he can get off his man and get to the puck or beat an opponent to the corner which allows him to play aggressive without chasing the puck. Brendan has a mature game both with and away from the puck; he’s positionally sound in his own end, he gets his stick in the right position and he will take ice given to him or make the simple pass instead of trying to make a high risk play.

He stood out on the breakout getting back for pucks, turning up ice quickly and moving the puck before the forecheckers had a chance to get in position. He can make opponents miss in open ice and has enough skill to buy time and space for himself carrying the puck up ice or at the offensive blue line, but he’s safe and makes the smart play not the pretty play. We were impressed with his board play because he doesn’t have great size, but he is strong on his stick and on his skates and wins 50/50 pucks and has the composure and skill to pull away from pressure, buy an extra second and make a direct play. He used the boards and hit on several indirect passes through the neutral to spring his forwards for odd man rushes; a skill few have the touch or vision to pull off at this age. Smooth, composed, high IQ defenseman who will making the jump to prep hockey next year at Governors and should have plenty of NCAA attention. Grows on you the more you watch him and appreciate his detailed approach. He had 1 goal on the week which came off a beautiful top corner snipe from the faceoff dot off a catch and shoot on the power play. Drafted in both the QMJHL and USHL."

Youth Hockey, High School & Prep School Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
Brendan Fitzgerald  (D)	2019-20	Governor's Academy	NE Prep	32	7	25	32	-
		Boston Jr. Eagles 16U	EHF 16U AAA Elite	3	0	0	0	2
		Team Black	USA Selects 16	5	1	0	1	0
	2018-19	Islanders Hockey Club 16U	USPHL 16U	18	0	6	6	49
		Islanders Hockey Club 15U	USPHL 15U	1	0	0	0	0
		Team White	USA Selects 15	-	-	-	-	-
	2017-18	Malden Catholic	Mass H.S.	21	0	11	11	-