March 28, 2024
MEN'S COLLEGE HOCKEY

Speedy Aquino leads UM against Merrimack Freshman winger visits site of brother’s success

Anthony Aquino was one of the most dynamic players in Hockey East during his three seasons at Merrimack College.

He led the Warriors in goals each year and in points his last two seasons. He finished with 56 goals and 59 assists in 110 career games.

Younger brother Luciano will play his first games at Merrimack’s Lawler Arena this weekend when the freshman left winger and his University of Maine teammates visit North Andover, Mass., for a pair of Hockey East games.

“I’m looking forward to these games. Anthony went there and did so well there. These should be good games for me,” said Aquino, who was the Hockey East Rookie of the Month for November.

Aquino, who saw his brother play approximately 10 games at Merrimack, said Anthony has been a “huge influence on me.”

“I talk to him regularly and ask him about things. He always tells me the little things I have to work on. He helped me make my decision to go to Maine. He said it would be a good fit for me,” said Aquino.

“He told me when he used to go up to Maine to play, it was such an intimidating rink. But he loved playing up there. He said just imagine if you played for Maine, how much fun and how exciting it would be,” said Aquino.

Maine coach Tim Whitehead and captain Todd Jackson said there are plenty of similarities between the Aquino brothers.

“Luc reminds me of his brother in a lot of ways,” said Whitehead. “They both have that breakaway speed, that quick acceleration. They also have great hockey sense and a scoring touch.”

“And both of them are exciting players,” said Jackson.

Merrimack coach Chris Serino said, “Anthony was a little more skilled but Luc has more toughness. They will be very similar production-wise.”

Aquino was hurt and didn’t play in Maine’s 6-2 win over Merrimack in Orono on Oct. 30.

He missed one more game and then put together his outstanding month of November in which he registered three goals and four assists in six games. He had at least a point in five of the six games and had a game-winning goal and assisted on a game-winner.

“I was flattered. I didn’t even know there was a Rookie of the Month,” said Aquino. “When coach [Whitehead] told me, I was more than happy. I hope things keep on rolling.”

Being the younger brother of a Merrimack star, Luciano said he expects to get some ribbing from the Merrimack fans and players. But it won’t bother him.

Aquino has been a valuable contributor as a freshman.

“He works hard every single day. And he’s probably the fastest kid in the league,” said sophomore goalie Jimmy Howard.

“What I’m most pleased with is, he has really worked hard to earn all of his ice time,” said Whitehead. “He’s gradually getting himself into more situations, like the power play and penalty-killing. I’m very confident he’ll continue to improve because he skates so well and is such a fierce competitor. He is really emerging for us.”

So who will Aquino’s brother be rooting for this weekend?

“He went to school there, but he wants his little brother to do well, so I think he’ll be rooting for me,” said Aquino.


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