Blackhawks rising star AJ Spellacy's journey from NCAA football prospect to hockey prodigy
Photo credit: cleveland.com
AJ Spellacy's unexpected shift from football to hockey highlights a diverse athletic pedigree.
AJ Spellacy's journey from promising football prospect to an emerging hockey talent is not just a story of athletic transition but a testament to a family steeped in sports tradition.
His lineage includes a father who played linebacker at Marshall University and a mother who was a track athlete.
The sporting prowess extends to his aunts with NCAA basketball credentials and a brother who played center at East Carolina University. Even AJ's uncle graced the basketball courts at Canisius.
Must read on HawksLatest
Despite such a rich football legacy, Spellacy, originally a three-star safety with potential NCAA prospects-even fielding a call from iconic coach Nick Saban-chose to pivot to hockey during his sophomore year at St. Ignatius High School.
This decision marked a significant shift, considering he only began playing hockey full-time last year, having enjoyed it as a leisurely activity with his brothers and cousin, the latter of whom played professionally in England.
West Lake, Ohio, might be a football town, but AJ and his father, John, often played catch in the living room, a simple game that symbolized the family's broader athletic versatility.
John's philosophy of encouraging his children to play multiple sports is echoed in his statement:
«AJ played everything and I wanted them to play everything as long as they could and find out what they love as they go along. And it came a little sooner than I thought for AJ because I figured he would just keep playing football and he really had a good sophomore year,» John said. «I'm a big believer that every sport makes you a better athlete.»
This ethos resonates through John's reflection on the broader family attitude towards sports:
«Going all the way back, my dad, he felt sports was the answer to a lot of problems because it kept the kids out of trouble and taught you so many lessons,» John said. «So all my family of six, everybody played something. Same thing with my five. It doesn't matter whether y
The transformation in AJ's athletic focus became evident after he met his future agent and skills coach, Kenny Ryan, a former second-round NHL draft pick, at the University of Michigan.
AJ's training regimen shifted significantly, with early morning skate sessions and video calls that underscored his newfound dedication to hockey.
Ryan Richmond, AJ's strength and conditioning coach, observed:
«I'm not sure what his ceiling is but where his floor right now is is a great starting point compared to other kids who've played for 10-12 years year-round,» Ryan said. «I think AJ's barely scratching the surface of what he's going to be. His skating is world-class. (But) he never really put his time and training into hockey. He's got so much untapped potential that he's actively working to tap into. As long as he continues to apply himself, I'm sure he's going to chase down whatever he sets his mind to.»
In the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), AJ quickly adapted, moving from a learning curve to being recognized as a "physical specimen" by his coach, Casey Torres, and earning accolades for his speed.
His rapid development garnered him a commendable scouting ranking, with NHL Central Scouting placing him 72nd among all American skaters.
AJ's own ambitions in hockey are clear, with a distinct nod to his football roots influencing his aggressive style on the ice:
«(Wilson's) a mean power forward, guys on the other team are scared of him and nobody wants to play against him. I'm a force out there when I'm playing hard playing that power forward, that mean and physical role,» AJ said. «Not too many guys play that way so being one of those guys who plays that way, it's pretty intriguing. Everyone needs someone like that so that's what I have to keep focusing on.
AJ Spellacy's story is more than a sports career pivot; it's a narrative about embracing change, leveraging a diverse athletic foundation, and pursuing passion with the support of a sports-oriented family.
As he continues to develop, the hockey world watches, eager to see how far his multi-sport background will propel him in a game he came to love later than most.
| POLL | ||
23 AOUT | 16 ANSWERS Blackhawks rising star AJ Spellacy's journey from NCAA football prospect to hockey prodigy Will AJ Spellacy be a menace on ice for the Blackhawks? | ||
| Yes | 9 | 56.3 % |
| No | 7 | 43.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
Latest 10 stories
