Ryan Driscoll Continues Family Tradition on Ice

The name "Driscoll" has become synonymous among 

While it's the name of a current player, it's usually associated with an elder Driscoll, who helped the Colts win a state championship in 2008.

Needless to say, the younger Driscoll has had big skates to fill. 

Luckily for the Colts, Ryan Driscoll can fit into most skates. The 6-foot defender has been an anchor for the Colts as a stalwart on the team's blue line.

A member of the team for the past four years, Driscoll is both physical and technical, posessing good stick skills for a player his size. Driscoll, who plays year-round, is not afraid of contact and is always a force along the boards.

Patch caught up with Driscoll after the team's 3-0 victory over Sparta last week:

Q: How long have you been playing hockey?
A: I've been playing around 13 to 14 years.

Q: What made you want to get involved?
A: My older brother, Tim, when he started that got me into skating. I picked up the game immediately, I had such a good time on the ice.

Q: What makes hockey so great?
A: It's fast-paced, it takes a lot of conditioning, it's just always been a game I was able to get into. Once I started playing for clubs, hockey became a priority. I also love getting the puck and skating with it, you have control over what your whole team is gonna do.

Q: What led to you becoming a defender?
A: It all started when I was a lot younger, I played offense, [but] my travel coach for some reason put me on defense. I just liked it, when I went back to offense it wasn't as comfortable. I've been a defender for a really long time. Luckily, we have a solid defense here at Kinnelon.

Q: After watching your older brother have success at Kinnelon, what did it feel like when you joined the team?
A: It gives me a lot pride to put on a Kinnelon jersey, jacket, anything with the words “Kinnelon Ice Hockey." My brother's grade did such a good job, when I have Kinnelon ice hockey gear on, people stop and ask questions, people ask you how the team's doing, they've given us so much notoriety.

Q: Are you going to keep playing after high school?
A: I'm deciding between colleges, but wherever I go I'm going to contact the coach and try to walk-on. If I can't, I'll join a men's league or something. If there's organized hockey, I'll find it.

Q: What can you say to aspiring hockey players?
A: I'd say always have your head in the game. If you enjoy it, stick with it, and get a lot of practice and you'll reach the goals you set for yourself.

Q: What do you want people to say about Ryan Driscoll in the years after you graduate?
A: Remember that he made a big impact, performed well and always put forth his best effort. After I graduate, I'll still try to help out the team in any many ways as possible.

Brother Tim Driscoll, Class of 2008 and state champion:
I'm proud to say that Ryan has developed into a strong shutdown defenseman. His leadership on and off the ice has helped the team turn their season completely around. He has great awareness in the defensive zone and has shown he can play physical in the corners and in front of the net. He's a great defenseman.