By Abigail Warren ’16 | Staff Writer

Some people are willing to do anything in order to reach their dreams, including Anea Ferrario ‘16 who traveled across the country away from his family and friends to pursue his career in hockey.

[pull_quote_center]“I would sacrifice anything for hockey,” Ferrario said. “Even though moving wasn’t exactly what I had planned, I knew I didn’t really have a choice.”[/pull_quote_center]

Born in Utah, Ferrario has been around the hockey environment since he was young, he said. At 11, he joined a AA travel team, the Utah Regulators. He expected to play for the  Regulators longer than he did, but with different teams trying to scout him he knew he might have to move in order to reach to the next level in his career.

The Colorado Thunderbirds was the team most interested in Ferrario, he said. Having seen him play at different tournaments and showcases throughout previous years, the Thunderbirds asked Ferrario to try out for the team. With the strong support from the Utah Regulators, he took the offer and was given a position on the team.

“I was thrilled when I first got the call that I had made the team,” Ferrario said. “It was my first major step in my career.”

Throughout the two years Ferrario played for the Thunderbirds, his career skyrocketed. In May of 2013, Ferrario got drafted 146th overall into the Western Hockey Leauge (WHL), a  league in the western provinces of Canada, by the Tri City Americans. Then, in May 2014 Ferrario was drafted 25th overall into the United States Hockey League (USHL) by the Bloomington Thunder from Illinois.

Aside from these, Ferrario dealt with the stress of yet another move. This time, to the state of Michigan, so he could  play for a more developed and exposed AAA team called Victory Honda.

Ferrario moved to Grosse Pointe on Aug. 28 to live with one of his teammates, Adam Cervone ‘17, he said. Living with a stranger in an entirely new town was definitely uncomfortable at first, but over the past few months Cervone and Ferrario have become great friends.

“The first few weeks it was strange waking up with a random kid in my house,” Cervone said. “But now Anea is like a brother to me.”

Victory Honda, Ferrario’s new AAA hockey team, is becoming a second family, Ferrario said. He has already made great friends and has connected with the whole  group on a greater level. Ferrario hangs out with them almost every weekend, and said he now  can tell his team almost everything.

Ferrario’s talent has been recognized on the ice, teammate Brendan Cauvel ‘16 said.

“Anea is a great kid on and off the ice. He knows the game better than anyone I’ve played with,” Cauvel said. “He’s always setting an example by working hard on the ice.”

This year, Ferrario has plans to win the state championship, national championship, and also win the tier one elite league, he said. Already this year, Victory Honda made it to the Motor City Cup championship game, but took a loss against Honeybaked. This was the first time the team officially played with one another, so making it to the championship game of a competitive tournament is a huge accomplishment for Victory Honda.

“I can just see how much potential this team has, and I am willing to do what I can so we can reach the goals we are capable of reaching,”  Ferrario said.

Trying to keep his options open, Ferrario has not  committed to the WHL or the USHL. Aside from the different elite hockey leagues that are interested in Ferrario, he is also looking into playing collegiate hockey at University of Michigan, Notre Dame or Miami of Ohio.

Family is Ferrario’s number one support system for his hockey career, he said. It is difficult being away from his mother, father and older brother in Utah, but he is learning to cope  with the idea, now that this will be his third year away from home. His mom sends him care packages as often as she can and Ferrario talks to his father and brother almost every day.

[pull_quote_center]“I would not be here if it wasn’t for them. If they wouldn’t have allowed me to move then I would not be where I am today,” Ferrario said. “I would not have achieved anything in my career so I am beyond thankful for them.”[/pull_quote_center]

Ferrario said he is also thankful to get the opportunity to play for such incredible teams.

“They are such amazing teams and I am honored that they want me to be apart of their legacies,” Ferrario said.