The hockey lifestyle of Jared Dempsey’s ‘15 was taken to a new level earlier this year when he decided to move across the country in order to pursue his hockey dreams, he said. On Aug. 22, 2014 Dempsey dropped his ordinary, everyday life and moved to Guilford, Conn. to play for a AAA team called the Connecticut Wolfpack.

Making the decision to move away from home wasn’t the easiest decisions for his family, Dempsey said. But, with lots of discussion and debate, the family saw how big this opportunity was for him.

“The east coast is home to over 50 percent of the Dl college teams,” said Jared’s father Doug Dempsey.  “We knew that it would give Jared a better chance to be seen by more schools and hopefully give him a better chance to advance to the next level.”

In Connecticut, Jared said he dealt with more than just his hockey development. He faced the challenge of moving to a new city and school when he didn’t know a single person there. Although the first few weeks were difficult, with the help of  Jared’s hockey team, he fit right in, he said.

“My teammates made me feel most at home,” Jared said, “whether it was a quick game of sewer before a skate or going to the diner after practice, we were always together. I really feel like I made some friends that will last a lifetime.”

Although Jared was set with his hockey team, his school life took a turn, he said. Jared was informed by the superintendent of his new district that in order to continue attending he would have to pay $7,500 due to not being an official resident of Connecticut. That was not an option for Jared, so instead of paying the money to attend, Jared continued school online.

[quote_box_center]“It was tough to motivate myself to do the work, but my mom and I spent hours on the phone every day to make sure I accomplished what needed to be done,”  Jared said.[/quote_box_center]

Being away home was difficult for both Jared and his parents, he said. It was weird to not see one another on a daily basis and to have them supporting him at games.

“He and his mother talked on the phone for extensive periods of time every day, and he and I texted and talked as often as we could,” Doug said.Although Jared did face obstacles, the experience as a whole was a definite success, he said. Not only did Jared see the year as a large advancement, so did his teammates.

“Over the year, Jared has gotten bigger, stronger, quicker, and better. He has put in the work on and off season to train and reach his highest potential and maximum strength,” Wolfpack teammate Connecticut Colin Powell ‘15 said.

Jared learned and matured throughout this experience, he said. He learned to rely much more on himself.

“Often times in Grosse Pointe, I find myself relying on my parents and, of course, they are here for me whenever I need them,”  Jared said. “But living in Connecticut really taught me to take more care of myself instead of relying on my family.”

Dempsey will play for the Connecticut Rangers in the United States Premier Hockey League next year and hopes to play in the United States Hockey League in the future.

“I hope I can fulfill my dreams and ultimately just play at the highest levels I can,” Dempsey said.