Athlete of the Week: Rick O'Conner

This is the second of a three-part series about North Andover High hockey players competing in the Hockey Night in Boston Major Showcase.

When one first thinks of hockey usually thoughts of pond hockey on a cold December day or walking through frigid night air to a Bruins game come to mind. Palm trees and sunshine usually do not.

However, at this week’s HNIB Major Showcase, North Andover’s Rick O’Conner is stuck in between. He comes from the hockey-rich state of Massachusetts, but he is competing for the North Florida squad.

“I have to represent Massachusetts now that I’m playing for North Florida,” O’Conner said with a smile. “They drafted me out of the first preliminary showcase, so I have to rep Massachusetts.”

It might look strange to see O’Conner’s name next to players from very “un-hockey” sounding places like Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, but O’Conner is the first to point out that the talent at this level is deep no matter where the players come from.

“There’s talent everywhere,” O’Conner said. “It’s great. There’s talent everywhere. It’s great to see the love of the game even in the warmer climates.”

O’Conner, who scored 11 goals last season for the , said it’s been a great experience competing at the Major Showcase.

“It’s a great experience for everyone,” O’Conner said. “I just try to do my best and put up some numbers.”