Former Hobart College hockey forward Tommy Fiorentino ’14 (New Hartford, N.Y.) recently signed with Les Phenix de Reims of the 1st Division, the second professional hockey league in France.
“I came to Reims in late August on a three-day tryout and was fortunate enough to earn a contract out of that,” said Fiorentino. “I knew I wanted to play in France from the beginning so to finally secure a spot is something I’m very proud of.”
The team won its first game of the season, defeating Cholet 8-7. Fiorentino logged a goal and an assist in the victory. Fiorentino also was able to play against his former coach, Carl Michaelson ’04, in a preseason game. Michaelson is now coaching the Dunkerque Coraires.
“Playing against Coach Michaelson was a lot of fun,” said Fiorentino. “It was a preseason game but it was different seeing him on the opponent’s bench. I definitely had plenty of motivation to play well. After the game we were able to catch up so it was great. I look forward to our games in the regular season.”
In his time at Hobart, Fiorentino played in in 102 career games. A three-time member of the ECAC West All-Academic team and a captain as a senior, he registered 27 goals and 25 assist for 52 career points.
“Playing at Hobart certainly helped me tremendously in getting to France. My coaches, Coach Taylor and Coach Flanagan, and for my first two years, Coach Michaelson, really pushed me to be my best every day,” said Fiorentino. “It’s that mindset that allowed me to play well for them, and to now take this step to Europe. Of course my teammates did the same thing and that’s a testament to the types of people Coach Taylor and Flanagan bring to the program.”
