UConn teammates reunited in Nutmeg State | TheAHL.com

by Brian Germinaro | AHL On The Beat

Teammates of the Bridgeport Islanders Marc Gatcomb again Wyatt Newpower have a responsibility that goes far beyond the Total Mortgage Arena.

But at the same time, it's a unique relationship that's deeply rooted and nurtured within the Nutmeg State.

Gatcomb and Newpower players signed with the Islanders organization this past summer and both entered a new environment during training camp, not knowing many faces. But they know each other. The two played two seasons together up the road in Storrs, Connecticut, home of the UConn Huskies. Newpower was a junior defenseman when Gatcomb, a forward, entered the program as an 18-year-old freshman in the 2018-19 season.

“It's absolutely mandatory,” said Newpower. “It's funny, Marc and I were close for two years playing together and our families even became close. When I first signed with the Islanders, I heard that he had just signed, so I called him right away. There was a lot of excitement.”

“It was good to have a familiar face at camp, especially not knowing anyone right away,” Gatcomb said. “I love playing with him – he was my captain at UConn and he's still a really good friend.”

While growing up in different parts of the country, the state of Connecticut and the game of hockey provided a common ground to build on. Under longtime Huskies coach Mike Cavanaughthey quickly realized that both played the same kind of physical, hard-nosed hockey: not shying away from contact, willing to block shots, and kill the penalty.

“You always want to add intensity, and we knew going into the season their games were the same,” said the Bridgeport coach. Rick Kowalsky. “They are good kids who do more for our team than what you see on the ice. Both have outstanding leadership qualities and are active in the community.”

Gatcomb moved from his childhood home in Woburn, Massachusetts. Newpower is originally from Hugo, Minnesota. But both now call Connecticut home.

While the couple ended up at UConn, the paths to get there were very different. Gatcomb went to a prep school in Connecticut and ended up visiting the Huskies' campus, knowing from the moment he first set foot there that his decision was made.

“When I visited the school, it felt like I was at home,” Gatcomb said. “I love the campus and the coaching staff has made an incredible impression.”

Newpower wasn't immediately convinced. He had little interest in colleges; in fact, UConn was the only university that offered him a scholarship.

“When I graduated from high school in Minnesota, I had every intention of going to play junior hockey,” Newpower said. “[UConn] he called me and said they needed me right away. It was my only right-handed defender, so it was worth it.”

Although their paths to Storrs were different, the one thing they agreed on was that he prepared them for a high-level game.

“I went through some tough times in college,” Newpower explained. “My sophomore year I didn't play many games but that's where I learned a lot about hockey and what you have to go through in life when things don't go your way – dealing with adversity. I sat down with my coach and we had a difficult conversation. That's when I moved full-time to Connecticut and spent the summer training with the UConn strength coach, who I still train with today.”

The commitment paid off. Newpower appeared in all 34 games in his junior campaign, recording three goals and 11 assists for 14 points to lead all Huskies defensemen. However, his biggest achievement came in his senior season when he was voted captain by his teammates. He scored a career-high 22 points, which was the record for most points by a UConn defenseman at the time.

For Gatcomb, UConn prepared him for a style of play that will help him as a pro.

“We played a tough game, which helped me in my transition,” he said. “Our strength coach was also great, and I was in really good shape.”

Gatcomb's hard work on the ice and in the gym paid off as his senior year he was voted assistant captain and produced the most goals in goals (8), assists (13) and points (21) in 36 games. Under his leadership, the Huskies had one of their best seasons in program history, reaching the Hockey East championship.

Both players bring blue collar character and strong leadership qualities to a young Bridgeport team. But as the team continues to build chemistry through the first quarter of the regular season, Gatcomb and Newpower have already built a lot, which they hope will rub off on their new teammates.

“In my opinion, the guys I played with in college are still my best friends, and Marc is right up there on that list,” Newpower said. “Who would have thought that hockey would take us back?”