From the sidelines, Patrick Hanrahan watched his sister Brittany on the lacrosse field.
The former captain of Saint Joseph’s University’s lacrosse team has been Hanrahan’s inspiration for this season, as he was selected as a captain of the ice hockey club team.
“Just seeing her strive for excellence and pushing others and pushing her team and seeing them succeed made me want to succeed and have that ability to be able to motivate others,” Hanrahan said. “[I wanted to be a part of] getting wins and getting the best out of all your teammates and not just your teammates, but getting the best out of yourself.”
Patrick played ice hockey at La Salle College High School, winning a AAA state championship in 2012. Brittany played lacrosse at North Penn High School.
The siblings—ages 21 and 23—are 23 months apart, which aided their competitive mindsets.
“We’re just a very athletic family,” Hanrahan said about his parents, also former high school student athletes. “I think having an older sister that played multiple sports competitively drove my competitive edge as well.”
When Hanrahan arrived on Main Campus in 2012 as an 18-year-old freshman, he learned the intricacies of being a leader from former defensemen Jordan Lawrence and Andrew Trainor, who helped him and other freshmen adjust.
Lawrence and Trainor helped the first-year players with workouts and conditioning, but also offered words of encouragement and motivation.
“[They] took us under their wing,” Hanrahan said. “[Lawrence] and Trainor were both defenseman, so they showed us the ropes and I think that also led to and learn from them to be a leader on this team.”
Last season Hanrahan tallied seven goals, 17 assists and 24 points. He also played in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men’s Division 2 All-Star Challenge from April 17-19.
Last season, teammates got a glimpse of his leadership abilities when he substituted for captain Greg Malinowski when Malinowski could not make practices.
“It’s just his demeanor out on the ice,” said junior defenseman Aron Litostanski, one of Hanrahan’s assistant captains. “It’s just how he plays. He leads by example [and] he says things on the bench when it’s needed, but most of the time it shows when he is out there playing.”
With only 13 of the 32 players from last year’s team returning, Hanrahan, who is also the team’s president for the second year, said he will need to accommodate his leadership style to help the younger skaters.
“It’s definitely a little bit more work, a little bit added pressure, but I don’t think it’s anything I can’t handle,” Hanrahan said. “To be given that responsibility from the coaching staff and to have them put their trust in me like that, is just added motivation to have us succeed.”
Stephen Godwin can be reached at stephen.godwin@temple.edu or on Twitter @StephenGodwinJr.
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