January 19, 2010
Robert J. Meyer | USHL Media Services
Youngstown Phantoms forward Tom Serratore. (USHL Images)
USHL.com presents the next installment in a series of features which bring the fans closer to the game and give an inside look at the nation's top junior hockey league. "Get to Know" takes you one-on-one with USHL players, who are the best and brightest hockey talent and the future of American hockey.
Tom Serratore is a forward for the Youngstown Phantoms during their inaugural USHL season. While it is the first season for the Phantoms, Serratore is no stranger to the League having previously played two seasons for the Sioux City Musketeers. He has recorded 17 points (11g, 7a) through 31 games this season, already establishing USHL career highs in goals and assists. The hockey bloodlines run deep in the Serratore family as Tom's father, Frank, spent six seasons (1982-87, 1989-90) behind the bench in the USHL and ranks first all-time in coaching winning percentage (.710) with a record of 202-81-5. He is now in his eighth season as the head coach at the Air Force Academy. Tom's uncle, Tom, is the head coach at Bemidji State University.
Serratore recently took a few moments to share a little about himself and let you "Get to Know" the USHL forward.
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Siblings: I have a twin brother named Tim and two sisters, Carly and Carina.
Nicknames: T-bone, T-dangles, Statch, and Bambi.
Hockey Inspiration: Hockey is one of those things that has just been in my blood from the day I was born. My father was coaching the Omaha Lancers at the time and ever since then I've had the skates glued on my feet.
First Hockey Memory: Strapping on goalie pads when I was around seven-years-old and getting "lit up", terribly. After that, I knew playing goalie wasn't for me.
Last Book Read: Mind Gym by Gary Mack. It's a really solid book for building mental toughness.
Favorite TV Show: Californication.
Favorite Movies: Dumb and Dumber and Happy Gilmore. Just classic movies.
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: When I'm away from the rink I enjoy playing Xbox Live with all of my buddies, camping and fishing up in the mountains during the summer, and playing party poker online.
Favorite Meal: Pepperoni pizza and ranch dressing. It's easy to make and never gets old.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Birthday Cake Remix from Coldstone.
Favorite USHL Arena: Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio. It's a good sized building always has great ice.
Funniest Hockey Memory: I scored on my own goalie when I played bantam hockey. No idea how it happened, but the puck took a weird bounce and slid right between his legs.
Embarrassing Hockey Memory: I took the ice with my skate guards on last season in Cedar Rapids. Hands down, the most embarrassing hockey moment of my life.
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: Lucky Charms
Closest Hockey Friends: Tommy Olczyk (Sioux City), Darik Angeli (Sioux City), Ryan Massa (Fargo), Josh Holmstrom (Sioux Falls) and of course my two roommates Adam Berkle and Cody Strang.
Favorite Website: I usually check out USCHO.com, USHL.com, and of course Facebook.com
Game Day Superstitions: Nap for no less than three hours and take a shower before heading to the rink.
Most Memorable Goal: Overtime winner against Chicago earlier this season.
Favorite Song: Have Faith In Me by A Day To Remember.
Musical Tastes: I listen to anything ranging from Lil' Wayne to Slipknot. I usually switch it up from time to time depending on my mood.
First Job: Working my dad's hockey camps.
Anything Else: I love singing in the shower.
Click here for Tom Serratore's USHL profile.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 31st season of junior hockey in 2009-10. With over 185 players already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 13 NHL Entry Draft picks currently on League rosters, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com.
It’s not just hockey. It’s the USHL.
