Matthew Mullen '17 Recruiting Profile

Recently, I have often been asked "what are you looking for in a college?" I jokingly respond, "I think the more important question is what are colleges looking for in me." It is a light hearted answer, but I have begun thinking about it more concretely as of late. What do I bring as a potential college recruit and student?

Growing up in Vermont, I have always led an active life of hiking, mountain biking, and various types of skiing. I have spent countless hours enjoying the Green Mountains. Vermont has been a huge part of my life and has given me experiences that not many people have had the opportunity to enjoy. I have been able to create mountain bike trails in my backyard, and hike the Long Trail with my dad. I alpine, telemark, and cross-country ski. Because of these experiences in Vermont, I bring more of a diverse viewpoint to a college campus. I can share my experiences and opportunities given to me from living in a rural area to my classmates.

My parents always stressed the importance of school, and I have really taken this to heart. Through middle school and my first year at my local high school, I have always achieved all A's. I wanted to expand my academic and hockey horizons, so I applied to prep school. I decided I wanted the hardest possible academic experience possible. At Groton School, I have challenged myself greatly in the classroom. My teachers and peers have given me countless tests, and I am grateful for my experience to be able to go to school at such a great institution. At Groton, I have taken as many Honors and AP level classes as I possibly could, and realized my affinity towards US History, Latin, and Calculus. I have also had the opportunity to be a tour guide at Groton, which I have found much enjoyment with. My education has always been one of the most important things to me, so I would love to continue to go to an academically challenging college as well.

Hockey-wise, I have been on the Varsity hockey team at Groton since my freshman year. I have been a starting defenseman my sophomore year and this past year (junior year.) I was just voted captain of the Groton hockey team for the 2016-2017 season. I am a defensive defenseman. I rarely get beat and do well to angle the opposition to the boards. I work hard to win battles in corners and I also do not give up net-front position to the opposing team in the defensive zone. I make a very crisp first pass out of the zone, using my good vision. I am a big player, and I am not afraid to hit in the corner and gain body position. I also like jumping up in the rush if I see an opening. I am a defense-first player, so I will not jump up in the rush if no other player is covering for me. The past two years I have been on the top of the power play, and move the puck well side to side to open up shooting lanes. I also get good, low, chance producing shots on net. Growing up, I made the Vermont State All-Star team 5 years, and went to the New England District Development camp for 5 years. I played AAA hockey for the Troy/Albany River Rats where I was voted captain. I also played for the CP Dynamo AAA '97 team as a '98. After, I played for the Green Mountain Glades AAA where I was a starting defenseman. My first year in High School I played for Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester VT. I was a starting defenseman as a freshman and we went to the Vermont State Championship. I then repeated my freshman year and went to Groton School. A year ago, I was on the draft list for the QMJHL as well.

I would love to continue to play hockey in college and continue my studies at a strong academic school!