Bryan Pilpel '21 Recruiting Profile

I have had my sights set on playing college hockey since I watched the frozen four skills competition live in 2009. This interest increased even more when I started playing travel hockey 7 years ago. I remember being in awe of our local Tier 1 AAA team (Team Maryland):  their aspirations, drive, work ethic, and leadership inspired me to strive for the same end goal. I achieved this goal 2 years ago when I made Team Maryland. My love for hockey is something I want to continue as I pursue a degree.

I feel that playing AAA hockey has prepared me to balance the workload of academics with practice, games, and travel. I have maintained a 3.3 weighted GPA through Junior High, Freshman, Sophomore, and into Junior Year at Seneca Valley High School, where I also take honors classes. It is because of my schedule that I have excellent time management and organizational skills. My work ethic, mannerisms, promptness, and leadership skills are characteristics my teachers and coaches have often commented on.

What makes me different from others is my desire to see everyone play their best and love the game. It's important to win games, but there are times you encounter a faster, better, stronger team. The value/lesson is in asking yourself if you played your best, if you left it all on the ice, if you played as a team and are proud of your attitude during the game, even in the face of a loss. Positivity and respect are two things you should always give your coaches. I feel if you're interested in college hockey, you have skill(s) that you'll ALWAYS be developing, but your attitude and your respect towards your teammates and coaches are also two things that should be consistent and present at all times. 

I've been fortunate to be on teams that won championships, Including Bauer Motown Classic in Detroit, Thanksgiving On The Beach in Clearwater Florida and AYHL Regular season and playoff champions all in my first season with Team Maryland in the 2018/19 season.  Those experiences have been the highlights of my time and effort on the ice. I can only imagine the feeling a player has skating onto the ice in a collegiate hockey arena where the stands are full and the energy is contagious. I hope to experience that feeling in the fall of 2022 surrounded by my teammates, coaches, family and fans.

I have attended tournaments such as  Chowder Cup, Hockey Night In Boston, CCM World Invite, Tier 1 Faceoff and East Coast College Cup. I have been putting  work and effort into practice and have listened to the advice I was given from coaches. I was asked by the coach to join the Team Maryland team this year for my leadership and experience to help the new players that came onboard.  I’m committed to growing my strength, speed, and skill over the course of this season.  

All of these experiences have confirmed that I am right where I want to be. As I continue to pursue my academic and athletic goals I am committed to being a strong contributor and leader to my team and my coaches. I hope to leave whatever college I attend as an alumni that my teachers and coaches are proud of, and as someone who takes that same work ethic on and off the ice to my future career and beyond.