Former NU hockey star goes on to play for NHL minor league team

By Matthew Harlow
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Keith Aucoin, a recent graduate of Norwich University, has gone on to play professional hockey for the Carolina Hurricanes.

In his first appearance at the Toronto Maple Leaf Rookie Tournament, he led the Hurricanes and the tournament with seven points over three games.

Aucoin got a contract from the Lock Monsters this summer, which is an affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes American Hockey League.

Aucoin signed the contract with the helpful guidance of Norwich Hockey coach Mike McShane. " Being Keith's last year, it was obvious that he wanted to continue playing hockey", said McShane.

"I had gotten some calls from some European teams", stated McShane.

Coach McShane got in contact with Steve Casper, who is an agent. McShane asked if Casper could come look at Aucoin and help Aucoin out if he could, as far as getting a contract.

Casper put McShane in touch with the general manager of the Lock Monsters, Tommy Robe. Robe said that he would have Aucoin come to the rookie camp and would take a look at him.

"I got a contract for a year for about $35,000, and I figured I could make a living doing this for a little while." said Aucoin.

"I was pretty nervous going into this league, because I didn't know anybody, and I didn't know how much different it would be from playing college hockey, but I eventually loosened up throughout some practices."

Although playing at the minor league level, which offers different and diverse challenges from that of playing college hockey, Aucoin attributes his love for the game to playing on such a competitive level at Norwich.

"I miss college hockey because of the boys, but four years is enough, and I'm happy where I am." said Aucoin.

"I'm just going to keep working hard and see where I go from there; everything will work out, I'm sure." said Aucoin.

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