Andrew D’Agostini, Mac Nichol talk what it means to be a student athlete
For some, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is simply an opportunity to play in front of sold out crowds with access to some of the best professional development tools. For others, it’s seen as a fast track to the NHL. Combine the two, however, and lacing up for an OHL team will always be a dream come true.
Sometimes lost among the various roads the OHL offers is the chance to follow junior hockey careers up with university education and a Canadian Interuniversity Student (CIS) athletic career.
For former Guelph Storm defenceman Mac Nichol, making the transition to CIS hockey at the University of Guelph was easy. Following three seasons and 68 games in the OHL, the Listowel, Ontario native went on to play two seasons in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) for the Listowel Cyclones and the Kitchener Dutchmen while continuing to live with his billet family.
“Blair, Lori, Katelyn, and Nathan Bowman became a second family to me,” Nichol explained. “As a result, I was able to continue my success at the university level and begin to [take on] an increased work load.”
Aiming to become a police officer, Nichol is part of the Criminal Justice and Public Policy program at U of G and continues to make an impact on the ice. Before looking ahead, however, recognizing where you come from is influential for the defenceman.
“Playing in the OHL, you learn a lot about being a hockey player, but more importantly you learn life lessons much more important for your growth as a person,” Nichol explained, listing time management and the all-important ‘big picture’ perspective as significant examples.
“It was an unbelievable experience,” he added. “Playing junior hockey for five years was easily the best part of my life thus far – meeting life long friends, having lasting memories, it’s what it’s all about, and I can’t thank former Storm General Manager and Head Coach Jason Brooks for the opportunity at age 16, and current General Manager Mike Kelly for everything.”
Nichol isn’t alone in looking at the ‘big picture.’ Andrew D’Agostini, former goaltender for the Peterborough Petes and now-Guelph Gryphon, also understands the importance of the right perspective.
During five seasons with the Petes, D’Agostini kept busy with classes at Trent University and was largely influential in the community, raising funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis. D’Agostini continues to support this cause as a Gryphon, with the Saves for CF initiative.
“Hockey will always be my priority, because I do intend to move up to professional hockey as soon as I can,” the Scarborough, Ontario native explained. “At the same time, I think I was one of those cases where I understood the big picture and I wanted to make an impact. It’s gotten me to where I am today.”
Unlike Nichol, D’Agostini was faced with the challenge of leaving his home of five years for a completely new start.
“The one thing about Guelph is that it reminded me a little bit of Peterborough,” D’Agostini said of the decision, adding he wanted to remain close to home. “The school had a lot to offer and I love the atmosphere. I said if I was going to do the university thing, I wanted to enjoy everything that comes with it – not just the hockey part.”
Fresh off the highest moments of his hockey career – in the 2014 OHL playoffs that saw the Petes become the fourth team in OHL history to rally from a 3-0 deficit to oust the Kingston Frontenacs (a series the netminder described as “war”) – D’Agostini recognizes the contributors to both the athlete and person he is now.
“I gave it everything I had in my five years, and this is where it’s brought me,” the Bachelor of Commerce student explained. “I’ve gotten a lot out of the [OHL]. I said I was going to leave with no regrets and make sure you made every day productive, and I got the best out of it.”
“It’s about optimizing your time and taking advantage of every little thing,” D’Agostini explained.
“Being able to lace up the skates in the best development league in Canada was a privilege,” Nichol added.
Sharing that privilege, both are Guelph Gryphons teammates looking ahead to what may be next.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” D’Agostini concluded, “but it’s up to me to decide that.”