CCHL News

Zarbo Commits to Clarkson for 2010

Date: Jan 13, 2010

Growing up in the United States, the dream for many young hockey players is the opportunity to continue their careers with a scholarship to play at the NCAA Division I level while receiving a good education from a well respected college or university.

For Joe Zarbo of the Wellington Dukes, born in Grand Island, New York, that was a dream he held since childhood. Recently, that dream became reality as Zarbo committed to play with the Clarkson University Golden Knights beginning in the fall of 2010.

"It's my biggest hockey achievement (committing to Clarkson)," said Zarbo, a 1991 born forward. "Growing up as a kid, it was my dream to commit to a school and play Division I hockey so it's a huge thing for me."

Located in Potsdam, New York, not far from his hometown of Grand Island, Zarbo was happy to get the opportunity to attend university fairly close to home. The quality of the hockey program and the coaching staff led by George Roll made his decision to commit to Clarkson University an easy one.

"It's a great program there at Clarkson and I was very interested in attending the school," said Zarbo. "It's not too far from my home which is nice. Really a lot of things led me to committing there. The program seems top notch, they've always seemed to have a pretty good team and the coaching staff is really good."

A style of hockey that rewards high end skill and speed, the NCAA seems to be a perfect fit to match Zarbo's own style of play.

"I'd say I'm more of a fast, skilled type of player," said Zarbo, who recorded seventeen goals and ten assists with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League in 2008-2009. "My game is to score and make plays."

Starting the 2009-2010 season with the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL, Zarbo was not receiving the kind of ice time that the hockey staff at Clarkson University felt would best prepare him for competition at the Division I level. A deal was then worked out that saw Zarbo join the Wellington Dukes and so far, it has been nothing but a seamless transition.

"I really wasn't getting much of an opportunity with my team in the USHL this year so it was good to change things up," said Zarbo, who has two goals and nine assists in eight games with the Dukes. "Clarkson helped me get set up in Wellington and I think I've come in pretty strong. It really wasn't much of a transition I guess, I just kind of stepped in and I think everything's been going pretty well."

As Zarbo prepares to head to Clarkson University in the fall of 2010 to begin his NCAA career, knowing NCAA competition is renowned for its intensity and high energy pace, improving his proficiency in the smaller aspects of the game like winning puck battles and finishing checks will be among his primary focuses.

"Just to keep working hard and battle more and make sure I'm finishing my checks, that will be important for moving to the next level," said Zarbo. "Definitely, they also want me to keep getting in the weight room and get stronger and faster to ensure I keep improving all around."

Back to news articles