“Obviously growing up you dream of playing pro hockey. I know it seems cliché but that’s how it goes.”

From the time you learn to skate, every hockey-crazed kid dreams of becoming a professional hockey player.  For South Carolina Stingrays forward Tim Harrison it was no different.

Growing up in Duxbury, Massachusetts, the path to the pros wasn’t always obvious for Harrison.  Tim’s hockey journey began at Duxbury High School. As a standout for the Green Dragons, Harrison drew the interest of Danny Donato, legendary head coach at Dexter Prep.

“Once I realized that I was good enough to play high school at a pretty high level—I moved on from my public school to play at a prep school—that’s when it clicked. I realized, ‘maybe I could make something out of hockey.’”

After transferring to Dexter Prep for his junior season in 2011, Harrison had shown enough on the ice that he had the opportunity to play college hockey and committed to Colgate University following his senior season of prep school hockey.

“The school is known for its academics more than necessarily producing NHL players. Education was a big focus for my family. We wanted a place where I could play at a high level but also receive a good academic experience.“

In his 2012-13 senior season at Dexter, Harrison racked up 21 goals and 43 points in 28 games on the right wing of one of the best lines in the New England Prep School circuit alongside Trevor Fidler and future Boston Bruin Ryan Donato.

With a 6’3” frame and impressive numbers in high school, Harrison was garnering consideration from some NHL teams ahead of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. After interviewing with some NHL teams prior to the draft Harrison felt especially good about his interview with the Calgary Flames. Fortunately, when draft day rolled around Calgary made the call and selected Harrison in the sixth round, 157^th overall.

“It was one of the most amazing feelings in the world to hear my name called,” Harrison reflects. “I saw my name on the ticker on the TV and couldn’t believe it.”

“When I was drafted I was honestly just sitting on the couch with my family when it all happened. Some guys that I had played with at prep school were likely going to be drafted so I was taking some notice there. Next thing I know my name came rolling down the ticker. I was very fortunate to be able to share that moment with my family.”

In the summer that followed, Harrison packed up and moved to Hamilton, New York to pursue collegiate hockey and a degree in Educational Studies at Colgate University.

In his four years with the Colgate Raiders Harrison steadily improved every season. After scoring 5 points in his freshman season, his scoring totals climbed to 11 points in the 2014-15 season, 17 in 2015-16, only to peak in his senior season where he scored 20 points in 37 games.

In Harrison’s freshman and sophomore seasons the Colgate Raiders advanced all the way to the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship only to lose in back-to-back years. In 2014 they lost to Shayne Gostisbehere’s Union who went on to win the 2014 National Championship.

That 2013-14 Raiders team qualified for the National tournament for only the fifth time in school history, but ended up losing 1-0 to Ferris State in the first round.   After advancing all the way back to the ECAC finals in 2015, Colgate ended up losing again to a Harvard team with future NHLers in Kylse Criscuolo, Jimmy Vesey, and Alex Kerfoot.

While the two ECAC finals and the 2014 National Tournament berth are impressive accolades, the memory that sticks out the most for Harrison was a Christmas tournament in his freshman season.

“In my freshman year we went into Minnesota for the Mariucci Classic,” Harrison remembers. “We ended up beating the Golden Gophers in their own tournament and then beat Ferris State. Those two teams were ranked 1 and 2 in the Nation at the time. It was such a cool feeling and definitely one of my favourite memories from college.”

Following the conclusion of his college hockey career in the spring of 2017, Harrison joined the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL. When asked about making the jump to pro hockey, Harrison joked that, “Not having to do school work anymore was definitely one of the better feelings.”

On a more serious note, Harrison acknowledged that there is definitely a tonne of work both on-and-off of the ice to become acclimated to the pro hockey lifestyle.

“Being able to manage your free time is a major aspect in the transition to pro,” Harrison explains. “What a lot of people don’t realize is that, while it’s cool to not have to work a 9-5 desk job, I still have to take care of my body. It’s my well-being. So to improve and maintain what I’m doing on the ice, I have to be doing the right things away from the ice. It’s not all fun and games after practices. I pay attention and make sure that I’m right both physically and mentally. You only play like 35 games in a college season. A full pro schedule means that I have to be on top of things both physically and mentally.”

As a player who could certainly be considered a late bloomer, Harrison was excited by his experience at Calgary Flames camp when he got to see what it takes to be a top-prospect or future NHL talent first-hand.

“I played in rookie camp with guys like Sean Monahan—who was in my draft class—Johnny Gaudreau, Sam Bennett.  I was 19 coming out of high school and I really hadn’t had any introduction to the pro scene. It was cool to see how those guys operated on and off of the ice. It was an eye-opener.”

As Harrison has developed his game over the years, one word that he keys in on is, “reliable”. Whether he’s putting up stats or not, Harrison does not waiver in his effort on or off of the ice.

“On the ice I try to use my body and speed to take pucks to the net. I pride myself on being reliable. Knowing the ins and the outs. There are a lot of small minor details that go into the game. Every practice I try to add just little parts to my game. I believe in doing things the right way and not cutting corners. Scoring a big goal or blocking a shot, you just have to be reliable. Another part of my game is what I feel I bring away from the rink. I think I have become a guy that people can lean on. I try to be a reliable, high-character guy on and off of the ice.”

After signing a new contract with the ECHL’s South Carolina String Rays this offseason, Harrison got involved with State and Liberty  while at home this summer. An American clothing company based out of Ann Arbour, Michigan, State and Liberty is a brand that specifically caters to high-end athletic fit menswear.

“This year I was able to help out at State and Liberty over the summer. One of my good buddies Nick runs the Boston office. They had me on in a sales roll to sling some shirts. The shirts honestly sell themselves.”

The State and Liberty brand has a very strong footing in the hockey community including a successful long-standing partnership with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association.  Players like Harrison have become very vocal proponents of the brand’s products and image.

“It’s all about the lifestyle that they’re encouraging. A healthy, fit lifestyle for gentlemen looking for dress clothes that fit well on them. It was easy for me because I just had to go around and talk to people with similar interests as me while selling a very popular product.”

As this new season kicks off, Harrison finds himself in a new locker room in South Carolina. While it is always tough to seamlessly walk into a brand-new work environment, Harrison is excited to take on the new experience.

“It’s for sure a different feel. It’s always funny going into a new locker room. As a new guy I don’t want to come into the locker room too hot. What we had in Adirondack last year was very comfortable and low-key. With the Stingrays it’s only a matter of time once guys start to feel each other out. You can already sense that guys are starting to come out of their shell. We’re going to have a good year.”

Harrison has had a strong start out of the gate. In 10 games he has put up 5 points as well as 14 penalty minutes and has helped South Carolina to a 6-5-0 record. While the season is still young, Harrison has lofty goals for himself and his teammates.

“This year’s goal is to hopefully win a championship. I just want to see guys succeed. One of the coolest aspects is to see guys thrive and move throughout the leagues whether that be to the American League or NHL.  I’m going to work hard enough that I hopefully get opportunities at a higher level. While I’m here I’m going to contribute everything I can to this team.”