Q&A with Parkway Native, Merrimack College Hockey Star Mike Collins

Parkway native Mike Collins did it all in the Parkway hockey scene through high school, playing for Hyde Park Youth Hockey and the Boston Junior Terriers before moving on to the acclaimed Knights to play under legendary .

Since graduating from CM, Collins played two seasons of hockey in Canada, and this past fall, started up at Merrimack College. His arrival with the Merrimack squad coincided with the start of a magical run for the Warriors, who won 25 games and advanced to the NCAA Division I Northeast Regional Final, before falling to Notre Dame in a 4-3 loss on Saturday.

Collins, who made the Hockey East All-Rookie team, talked to Patch prior to Saturday's match-up.

Q: Talk to us about your experience growing up and playing hockey in the area.

Mike Collins: Growing up I played for Hyde Park Youth Hockey, then moved on to the Metro League playing for the Boston Jr. Terriers playing under Brian McDonald. He coached me for 11 years and I give all my credit to him. He made me the player I am today.

Q: You've had a very successful first season at Merrimack, having made the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and now preparing for national tournament play. Was the transition to college hockey easy for you?

MC: After playing junior A in Canada for two years the jump into college hockey was challenging but not as bad if I were to come straight out of high school. After a few games you really learn the pace of the game and learn how to play at this level.

Q: What does it mean to be able to compete for a national title?

MC: It means everything to me. I play this sport to win. And if you make a national tournament you know you are doing something right. The team we had this year has been unbelievable, a group of guys all so close and on the same page we knew we were good enough and we gave it our all.

Q: What are you studying at Merrimack? How do you like it?

MC: At Merrimack I am a business major. Merrimack being a business school it is challenging but I like it a lot.

Q: Prior to heading to Merrimack, you played for the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League. That must have been quite an experience, living away from home in another country and competing at that high of a level on the ice. Tell us about those two years.

MC: Those two years were simply the best years of my life. We won two national championships. To me, that’s something no one can take away from me. Our team was so close; I still keep in touch with almost every guy on the team, which is nice. And the coaches out there changed my life. Mark Ferner and Jason Williamson are two guys who I idolize today. They really made it easy for me to play and fit in out west.

Q: You graduated from Catholic Memorial in 2008, and featured prominently on CM's prestigious hockey team. What was it like for you to play in high school on a team with such a legacy? What was it like to play under head coach Bill Hanson? Did CM prepare you for your experience in Canada and at Merrimack?

MC: As I said before, everyone plays sports to win, and that’s why I chose CM. It’s a great program under the reigns of Bill Hanson. Playing for Coach Hanson was challenging at times, but in the long run it was absolutely worth it. He’s a down-to-earth coach and he knows what he’s talking about. 

Q: What are your plans, in and outside the game, going forward? Do you think you'll make a living playing hockey at some level? 

MC: I plan on finishing my college career here at Merrimack and if something comes from it great. If not time to get a job and start my life!

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