Athlete of the Week: Michael Rodriguez

Michael Rodriguez, a sophomore at Glastonbury High School, scored two goals and dished out an assist as Glastonbury ice hockey defeated Farmington Valley 4-2 on Jan. 12.
           
Rodriguez has been a consistent offensive threat for the Guardians this season, scoring three goals and setting up seven other goals through the team’s first seven games.
           
His two-goal performance against Farmington was the first time he has scored multiple goals in a high school game.  
           
This season, the Rodriguez family is a big part of the ice hockey team at GHS. Michael’s older brother, Alex Rodriguez Jr., is a senior captain and his father, Alex Rodriguez Sr., is an assistant coach. 
           
“Getting two goals was something special for me. My dad is a coach, so I’ve watched hundreds of these games, so it’s cool too,” said Rodriguez. “It’s our last hurrah. I love having my dad as a coach and playing with my brother. They can be tough on me, but it’s fun.” 
           
The win over the River Hawks snapped a three game skid for the Guardians, who won two of three to start the season. It was a key conference victory and dealt Farmington only their third loss in eight games.  
           
“We knew they were going to be a tough team. Our coach even told us that the only people who believed in us were in our locker room and we took that to heart. We wanted to come out and play physical. We were pumped up.”
           
Rodriguez set up the first strike, passing to Maksim Gerasimov who found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. Rodriguez then lit the lamp to make it 2-0. 
           
Following a goal from Zach Caporale on an assist from Andrew Clarkin, Rodriguez added his second to put the game on ice in the third period.  
           
Rodriguez, who has been playing ice hockey since he was five, is part of a talented sophomore line that includes Gerasimov and Ben Jean.
           
It’s a line that will not only be playing together this season, but for the next two years as well. Rodriguez said the three are “forming the chemistry right now.”
           
Having his father as a coach and his older brother as a captain provides a family dynamic to the team and the years of playing together with the other players translates that family-feel to the ice. 
           
“This team is something special. We’ve known each other forever and honestly I think we have the closest team in the school,” stated Rodriguez. “I truly love these guys and would do anything for them.”
           
Outside of GHS, the Rodriguez brothers continue to play ice hockey year-round on club teams and both have earned trips to nationals this spring.  
           
Michael will be playing in a national tournament in Michigan and Alex will be playing in California. 
           
​Michael Rodriguez called the upcoming experience “pretty cool” and added that both brothers are looking forward to playing on a national stage.