Photography by Jennifer Bodnar
Liam Coughlin is on fire. The Catholic Memorial senior is having a personal best hockey season with 23 goals, 13 assists for a total of 36 points. Always having talent on the ice, 2012-2013 seems to be Liam’s breakout season. The 6’3″ left handed center and team captain has a bright future on the ice. When asked what his plans are after high school, Liam says, “I want to play in a Hockey East School – especially BU, BC, or Northeastern. It’s a dream of mine to play in the Beanpot. As I’m searching for schools, of course hockey is playing an important role, but more importantly I am looking for a place that could give me a great education first.”
Just the facts:
- Age: 18 years old
- Senior at Catholic Memorial
- Parents: Kevin and Heather (Crabbe) Coughlin
- Siblings: Kevin, Micaela, and Logan
- Favorite spot in Southie: Motivated Fitness
- Favorite restaurant in Southie: Sal’s. I eat there all the time! I always get my pre-game meals there – chicken parm with pasta! All the food is good rice balls, steak and cheeses just everything is so delicious! Always will be my favorite place to eat.”
Liam’s is an aggressive force on the ice, quite different from his demeanor off the ice. He is a kind and soft-spoken kid with a smile that lights up the room. His smile is especially present when talking about the love of his life, hockey. He has been on skates since he was four years old and like most Southie kids he learned to skate at the Murphy Rink under the direction of Arnie Bailey and Arnie’s Army. Liam then began playing for South Boston Youth Hockey. Beginning his high school hockey career, he attended Walpole High and played junior hockey. He then transferred his sophomore year to Catholic Memorial High School and is coached by legendary hockey coach Bill Hanson. “I learned many things from Coach Hanson, one of them being all the little things matter. Following directions is not only important on the ice , it is just as important off the ice too. Hanson taught me that I have to be responsible for myself. He made me a great hockey player mentally and physically and he has prepared me for the next level,” says Liam.
Liam is fully committed to this sport and is working hard to reach his ultimate goal of playing pro. “I would love to go pro! Thats my goal and that is what I’m striving for! This year is my first year eligible for the draft. I have been talking to some NHL teams for the upcoming draft especially the Montreal Canadiens. That’s my dream and I’m working hard to accomplish it!
And working hard he is. Every day he takes the ice and practices for CM. In addition to his daily practice, Liam goes above and beyond by training at Motivated Fitness under the expert eye of personal trainer Thomas Regan. “Liam is one of the hardest working kids to come through Ripped by Regan. His desire to be successful has him always begging for extra workouts, extra reps, extra time; that’s a quality that you rarely find in a high school athlete and it’s a quality that will take him far, not just in sports, but in life,” says Thomas.
In the genes:
?If the name Coughlin sounds familiar when it comes to hockey, both Liam’s father and brother were legendary South Boston players – his father Kevin played for South Boston High and Michigan State and his brother Kevin played for the National Development Program and in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. “I do think there is a gene. My dad was an excellent hockey player and I grew up watching my brother Kevin play which motivated me to be like him. My twin brother Logan is also a great goalie – I guess you really can inherit a hockey gene. ?
Q&A
What’s the best part about living in Southie? I love the closeness of it. You know everyone in Southie and everyone has your back. Especially my friends, they support me everyday.
Favorite part of playing hockey? It’s fun to practice and work with my team. But the best part of all is scoring goals. Whether it’s the first goal of the game or the last, it’s the best part of the game.
Who is your favorite NHL player? Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Redwings. I love how he’s able to use his skill and speed to take control of each game that he plays. That’s something to strive towards.
What is some advice you would give the younger kids of South Boston? Keep working hard everyday and whatever your dreams are, chase them. Put in the hard work and good things will come your way.
We have a feeling many good things will come Liam Coughlin’s way and one day we will see him scoring goals at the Beanpot.
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