Sean McBride, a defenseman for the EHL’s Railers Jr. Hockey Club, has committed to NCAA Division III Keene State College for the fall of 2024.

Keene State will ice its first men’s hockey program starting with the 2024-25 season.

The ’03 native of Phoenix joined the Railers in October of the 2022-23 season, scoring a goal in just his second game with the team. This past year, he matched his first year total of 14 points, while also adding four more points to his credit in the postseason, including a goal in the championship game.

“I wasn’t too stressed going into the season,” said McBride. “Coach (Sean) Bertoni is great with committing players and I was just focused on getting better. I knew if the team was winning we’d have a lot of commitments and we did.”

Bertoni went on to attest McBride’s statement, as well as speak to the player that the defenseman had become during his time in the EHL.

“Sean is a high-end skater, with a great ability to move the puck with his feet and always hit his outlets,” said Bertoni. “Sean could make something out of nothing. He’s a very confident player with good vision and plays the game the right way. He’s a fierce competitor. Sean provided veteran leadership on and off the ice, and he was a very underrated defenseman in the EHL, doing all the little things with perfection. We are happy Sean will be attending Keene State.”

McBride went on to talk about the experience he gained while working with the Railers’ coaching staff.

“I definitely benefited from the hands-on coaching with the Railers,” McBride explained. “When you did something wrong or right, you never had to guess. You knew or you were told. I think my decision making and hockey sense came a long way here.”

McBride joins a growing list of Railers who will be Owls come the new season. Bertoni informed McBride that Keene expressed interest and McBride considered it a good match.

“I immediately looked it up, and then after the visit, I realized how nice it was there,” said McBride. “Coach (Bobby) Rodrigue seems like a really nice guy, and the rink is awesome and it’s only going to get better. And knowing guys right away, having some of my best friends there, will only make for a better time.”

McBride is part of a 15-player class that the EHL is sending to Keene State, and as the veteran defenseman mentioned, he will have the comfort in already knowing his Railers teammates Chase Carney, Marcus Chrisafideis, and Thor Hansen when he arrives on campus.

In Arizona, McBride played for the Jr. Coyotes and Arizona Bobcats.

Photo/Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

— EHL Staff

(June 17, 2024)