For most high schoolers, the sport they play is just an activity for them to occupy their time, but for some, that sport becomes synonymous with their identity. Few people are as tied to their sport in South Windsor High School as Mason Trombley is with hockey.
Trombley is a senior forward who has been playing hockey since he was eight years old. He has been a member of the South Windsor High School hockey team since he was a freshman and played his entire youth hockey career with the South Windsor Knights program.
What pulled Trombley into the sport was what he saw from those growing up around him.
“I started playing [hockey] because of my older brother and the fun he was having with it, and I wanted to join in,” Trombley said.
During his junior season, the ‘Cats were battling to improve their playoff positioning late in the season, so on senior night, Trombley would get the starting nod and be the only non-senior to start the game.
That start on senior night and his time on the ice in his sophomore year’s game stand as his most fond hockey moments.
“My favorite memory would probably be playing on senior nights and having the adrenaline rush from the crowd,” Trombley said.
Prior to his senior season, Trombley and his senior goalie Noah Sampson would be awarded the honor of being the team captains, something that came of little shock for most who know Trombley.
“I would describe myself as a player that will look out for his teammates, and I’m seen as someone who will put in the work to help make the team better,” Trombley stated.
Head coach Nick Gionfriddo felt the choice of captain came easily with Trombley.
“He’s the kind of leader every team needs. He’s fearless, committed, and always putting the team first. When he speaks, everyone listens. When he plays, he sets the tone,” Gionfriddo said.
While hockey is one of the focal points of Trombley’s youth, his plans following graduation are that of nobility.
“My plans after high school are to join the air national guard and go to schooling for aerospace mechanics,” Trombley told The Prowl.
Before Trombley can go on to graduate and serve in the air national guard, he and the rest of the Bobcats’ team have eight more games left to play, where they’ll look to make a late push to enter the playoffs and end Trombley’s hockey career on a high note.
