5 Super Athletes With Ties To Enfield

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Enfield area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch is celebrating five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. This list is just a snapshot, with countless other athletes helping shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Craig Janney (Hockey)

Craig Janney grew up in Enfield and attended Enfield High School before a standout hockey career took him to Deerfield Academy, Boston College and 12 seasons in the NHL. Drafted 13th overall by the Boston Bruins in 1986, he helped Boston reach two Stanley Cup Finals and later represented Team USA at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Janney was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2016, ranking first all-time among American-born NHL skaters in assists per game.

2. Pho Phimvongsa (Tennis)

Pho Phimvongsa played tennis for Enfield High School and led the squad to three straight conference titles with a 60-1 career record. He went on to play Division I tennis at UConn, setting a single-season win record and helping the Huskies finish seventh at the Big East Championships in 2000. Phimvongsa has spent more than 25 years since as a professional tennis instructor across Connecticut and was inducted into the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame in 2025.

3. Nancy (Rivard) Geaglone (Field Hockey)

Nancy Geaglone starred as a three-sport athlete at Enfield High School, helping the field hockey team capture back-to-back Class M state championships in 1983 and 1984. She earned All-CCC East honors twice and captained the team to All-State recognition as a senior before continuing her career at Southern Connecticut State University. Geaglone later returned to coach at Enfield High, leading the Raiders to three more consecutive championships.

4. Kristin Karat (Basketball)

A 2003 Enfield High School graduate, Kristin Karat is one of the few female Raiders to score 1,000 career points on the basketball court. She went on to star at Becker College, earning All-Conference honors and leading the program to its only conference title and NCAA appearance. Karat has since built a coaching career at Tufts, Trinity and Cedar Crest College, where she now serves as head women's basketball coach.

5. Michael Linehan (Soccer)

Mike Linehan lettered in soccer, basketball and track at Enfield High School, captaining the soccer team as a senior in 1977-78. He went on to play at the University of Hartford, earning All-Northeast Conference honors and co-captain honors in 1980 and 1981 as the team reached three straight NCAA tournaments. Linehan has since built a long coaching career, most recently leading the Southington High School girls varsity soccer team.