Growing up as a hockey player in Massachusetts, you are either born loving the Boston Bruins or you are forced to love watching them. The Boston Bruins represent all of New England as far as their work ethic and the way they play on the ice. New England is filled with hard working and gritty citizens that never seem to give up.

East Longmeadow native, Frank Vatrano, got to live the dream that every little Massachusetts hockey player yearns for; Vatrano was called up to the Boston Bruins this past Friday from the American Hockey League affiliate, the Providence Bruins. Vatrano’s first game was memorable on its own, besides the fact that he was playing in one of the best rivalry games in sports, Boston vs. Montreal.

Frank Vatrano spent his early high school years playing for the Boston Junior Bruins out of Marlborough, MA, while attending Springfield Cathedral High School. After that, Vatrano went out to Ann Arbor Michigan to attend high school while playing for the prestigious United States National Team Development Program that has previously produced NHL stars like Patrick Kane and Phil Kessel.

Vatrano decided to stay local for college, and attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. While only practicing for his first year with the team due to ineligibility, he eventually suited up for the Minutemen for the 2014-15 season. The season saw Frank Vatrano leading the Minutemen in goals, although receiving an early exit from the playoffs. Following the short stint in the Hockey East League playoffs, Vatrano was offered a deal from the Bruins that would have him playing for Providence to end the 2015-16 campaign.

Recently, The Herald talked to Vatrano’s cousin, John Sarno, who praised Vatrano’s play and is very proud of his accomplishments. Sarno said, “He is a great kid, very humble, and truly loves the game of hockey”. Vatrano not only played in his first professional game, but also scored a goal in front of a huge Montreal crowd. Within this crowd was Vatrano’s dad and uncle, who made the trip to see this local’s dream come true. Following the game, Bruins coach Claude Julien praised Vatrano.

Although the weekend was a whirlwind for Frank, he now has to settle into the National Hockey League lifestyle and continue to play well in order to keep living his dream.