Long Beach Native Eyes NHL Career

On the morning of Oct. 28, there was nothing but hope and high aspirations for Long Beach native Robert Beggi and the 10th-ranked University of Rhode Island club hockey team.

By the next night, though, there was nothing but dejection and hung heads as the Rams fell to top-ranked Penn State, 6-2 and 4-2. The Nittany Lions, who are going Division 1 next year, controlled tempo and play throughout that weekend.

But the disappointment hasn't dampened senior forward Beggi's ambitions, and he looks forward to a rematch with the Nittany Lions and the potential for a career in the sport he loves.

“They were big and they were tough,” Beggi said of Penn State. “You can’t lie that you don’t hear about [PSU’s jump to D-1] a lot. You just try to block it out. It’s the same jersey I’ve been playing in for four years. We’ll adjust a little bit and hopefully get them at their place [in January].”

Beggi is tied for third on the Rams in goals with four this season. He is coming off a career year when he notched 12 goals and 24 points.

After playing for Long Beach High School, Beggi got an offer to play for the New York Apple Core of the Empire Junior Hockey League. But he said one trip to Kingston convinced him he wanted to play college hockey.

“Through word of mouth, I came to check out the arena, and the facilities were unbelievable,” Beggi said. “They had me right when I walked into the building. I was really impressed with the skill level, and I wanted to come here and help win a national championship for them.”

The Rams play at the Division-1 club level in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. Rhode Island won the national title in 2006.

Beggi said that he received scant offers from varsity programs, but generated interest from a lot of club teams. He believes there is a misconception that club is a lower, less competitive form of college hockey.

“If somebody came out here and said this was D-1 club, watching the skill level in a game like this, they aren’t going to say it’s club hockey,” Beggi said. “ … We’d be as good as a [NCAA] Division 3 contender.”

Beggi said his parents have been his biggest supporters and fans throughout his career. They regularly make the more than three hour drive to Kingston to watch him play.

“My dad comes up to every home game, and I can’t thank him and my mother enough for coming up all the time,” Beggi said.

With his college career winding down, the communications major is hoping to stay with hockey but move from the ice to the front office. His dream job is to be the general manager of his beloved New York Rangers.

“I’m looking to get a job with the NHL,” Beggi said. “Hopefully I can work my way up to something in the front office … I’d like to get into player personnel or public relations to start.”