Guilford’s Hoban joins Sacred Heart and familiar coach

Maybe this wasn’t the college hockey debut that Cody Hoban was expecting a little over a month ago.

But it’s the one he got Wednesday, taking part in Sacred Heart’s 4-3 overtime win against Air Force at Niagara.

“It was a bit faster, a bit tighter out there,” said Hoban, a Guilford product. “Overall, I felt good, comfortable. It was really good to get the win.”

Hoban had been playing with the Danbury Hat Tricks of the junior North American Hockey League. He was committed to Dartmouth until about a month ago. Then, just before Christmas, the Pioneers announced he’d be joining them for the second semester.

Hoban declined to detail the process — “it’s a longish story,” he said — but said it all happened within about a month.

“I made the decision not to go to Dartmouth. C.J. (Marottolo, Sacred Heart’s coach) reached out to me,” Hoban said. “I really liked what they offered here. It’s close to home. I’ve tracked him and the program. It happened pretty fast.

“All I can say is I’m really happy with the decision and really comfortable.”

There was some talk about starting in the fall, but most of the talk centered on getting in for the second semester.

“He’s a really smart player,” Marottolo said. “He’s been a young man who’s won everywhere he’s been. He’s produced offense.”

He did right away, in fact. Coming in through the right circle, he was in front of the goal when Todd Goehring’s centering pass caromed off the net toward the slot. Air Force goalie Zack LaRocque stopped the one-timer, but freshman defenseman Grant

Anderson followed it up for Sacred Heart’s first goal Wednesday.

“I think he’s going to have, as any young player, some growing pains. I’m sure there’s an adjustment period,” Marottolo said on the way to that game.

“After a few games, figuring out the pace, the speed of the game, I expect him to be a solid 200-foot player.”

Marottolo should have a pretty good handle on Hoban’s game: They go back a ways.

“My first memory (of Marottolo) is probably when I was really young, 5, 6, 7 years old, not exactly sure,” Hoban said. “He’d run camps at Milford Ice Pavilion. He was high-energy on the ice, having fun, smiling. I remember those camps.”

Hoban grew up to play four years at Loomis Chaffee before joining the Hat Tricks this season.

“He’s a great kid, a great family,” Marottolo said. “I can’t say enough positive things about him.”

Hoban knew his coach much better than his new teammates, but the trip gave him a chance to get to know them.

“I’m hoping to do my part to help the program get better,” Hoban said. “It’s on the rise. We’ve got to keep pushing.”

The Pioneers are 2-3 but have had consecutive weekend series postponed after positive COVID-19 tests within the program. A Jan. 2-3 series against Army were called off after a rapid test on gameday brought back a positive. The team had multiple negative tests that allowed it to travel to Lewiston, N.Y., to play Wednesday’s game.

They were set to play Long Island University on Saturday and Sunday, but the school announced Saturday that both games were off after another positive test.