Vincent LoVerde of the Toronto Marlies is currently enjoying his seventh season of professional hockey.  After going undrafted following four years at Miami University, the defenseman from Chicago, Illinois signed with the Ontario Reign, which was an ECHL franchise at the time, and reached the American Hockey League the following year where he has remained ever since.  He is a Calder Cup Champion, a former team Captain, and this past summer was elected by his peers to the Professional Hockey Players’ Association Executive Committee. LoVerde recently sat down with PHPA.com to answer our 10 questions….which turned into 14 questions because his answers were just that good.

1. Did you always desire to play college hockey and why did you choose to attend Miami University?

Education was always very important to my family and because of that, I was naturally more drawn to college hockey. As I continued to play hockey, I was afforded the opportunity to attend Miami University. I chose to attend Miami because I felt they had a great coaching staff, a very competitive team, and a strong academic curriculum.

2. What was your major / area of study?

I majored in finance and minored in political science.

3. What is your favorite memory from your time at Miami University?

One memory that specifically stands out to me while at Miami was my junior year when we won the CCHA Championship. We had been close in previous years, but to finally win the CCHA Championship was a great moment for our team.

4. What was it like to play for the Ontario Reign as an ECHL franchise and then return 3 years later as an AHL franchise?

Coming out of college, playing in Ontario was a great experience for me. We had a tremendous fan base, great coaching staff, and a great group of teammates, which really made my time in Ontario enjoyable. To return to Ontario as an AHL franchise 3 years later was almost a surreal experience. The fan support was as outstanding as ever, and it was great to be in such close proximity to the Los Angeles Kings.

5. What did it mean to you to be named Captain of Manchester?  Can you describe your leadership style?

We had many great veteran leaders on our team that year, and it could have gone to anyone, but to be selected as the captain of the Manchester Monarchs was an absolute honor. As for my leadership style, I am a pragmatic person and can see various sides to different situations. With that being said, I like to let my actions speak louder than my words, but if something needs to be said I will address it.  

6. What is your fondest memory from winning the 2015 Calder Cup with Manchester?

There are so many great memories from the year we won the Calder Cup. From the bus ride home with my teammates to the celebration rally back in Manchester, there was never a dull moment. If I had to single out one specific memory, I would say after we won the game, being able to hand the trophy off to my teammates. We had a great group of guys on that team and it was great seeing our hard work come to fruition.

7. Why did you choose to become a PHPA Player Representative?  What is your favorite aspect of the position?

I was afforded the opportunity to become a PHPA Player Representative my rookie year in Ontario. The PHPA is such an important organization for the players in the ECHL and AHL and coming from a family with a union background, it was an easy decision for me to get involved.  My favorite aspect is the annual team meeting, I think they are extremely informative and allow young players to understand more information about the benefits of the PHPA.

8. How did you enjoy attending the PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives?  What did you take away from that experience?

I had a great time attending the PHPA Annual Player Meetings. The PHPA puts a lot of hard work and effort into organizing that event, and I think they are very beneficial for all those that attend.

9. Who was your favourite hockey player growing up?

Being a defenseman from Chicago, my favorite player growing up was Chris Chelios.

10. How do you spend your offseason and what do you do to unwind after a busy season?

I spend my offseason in Chicago hanging out with family and friends. We are so busy during the season that it’s nice to relax and catch up with friends and family and spend some quality time with them. I will try to travel as much as I can in the summer; it’s always great to experience new cities and catch up with friends all over North America.

11. What is your favourite sport other than hockey?

My favorite sport to play other than hockey is golf, while my favorite sport to watch other than hockey is football.

12. If you were not a professional hockey player, what career path do you think you would have chosen?

I would have most likely done something in the financial services field. My first couple of years playing pro hockey I did some internships in the summer for a couple different financial companies and I felt that they were extremely informative and allowed me to gain a greater understanding of the financial world. 

13. How have you enjoyed playing for the Marlies so far this season, and what’s been the most noticeable difference for you between living in California and Toronto?

Playing for the Marlies this season has been outstanding. We have a great team and I am excited for what this season may hold. The obvious difference is the weather. After living in Ontario (CA) for the last couple of years, I don’t own very many winter clothes so I may have to invest in a parka for the winter!

14. Who has been the funniest teammate you have played with throughout your professional career and why?

Paul Bissonnette. I was roommates with him last year and have been teammates with him for the past three years. Obviously everyone knows him from his social media presence like Twitter and Instagram, but he’d have me in tears laughing at the rink and at home. I hope he doesn’t see this; I don’t want it to go to his head!