By Warren Kozireski–
Boston University bound and East Islip native Robert Mastrosimone saw his dream come true Saturday after he was selected in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft 54th overall by the Detroit Red Wings.
“The wait (to be selected) was kind of the same; no matter where I went it was going to be the same after so knowing that made it a bit easier,” he said in the post-selection media scrum.
The former eight-year Long Island Royal headed to hockey-famed Shattuck St. Mary’s at 14 years old for two seasons before going the USHL route with the Chicago Steel the past two years.
He exploded offensively in this, his second campaign with 31 goals and 29 assists in 54 games while also being called in for four games with the U.S. National Team.
“I’m a 200-foot forward who is a very, very hard work ethic who can score and play defense. Willing to black a shot in the d-zone just as much as I want to score.
“It (going to Shattuck) was a hard decision (being) 14 years old from Long Island and going all the way out to Minnesota, but when I was a young kid, I read an article about Sydney Crosby going to Shattuck and that was my dream. An opportunity presented itself and I took it.
“It made me a very independent person, it matured me and it really helped me as a person.”
This fall it’s on to Boston University.
“I think it’s going to be a great year. BU is an awesome school with an awesome hockey program and I am so excited to get in there.”
But he also remembered his start in hockey back on the Island and reflected on many of his younger day teammates and opponents also being selected in this year’s draft.
“Out there we’re not really too big, so it’s such a great connection we have and everyone getting drafted is really good for the Long Island hockey community.”
(Photo by Koz)
