For many hockey players, the NHL is the dream. For all professional hockey players, the NHL is the goal. A former second round NHL draft pick and veteran of nine seasons of professional hockey, Springfield Thunderbirds defenseman Tommy Cross has embraced his role in the greater hockey landscape.

“At this point in my career, I’m a guy that’s been in the American League for a number of years. I try to use my experience to help younger players.”

For Cross, hockey was something that he was born into. A native of Simsbury, Connecticut, Tommy lived and breathed the game.

“I was raised on hockey,” Cross recalls. “Hockey has always been in my family. My dad and my uncles all grew up and played in upstate New York. There was great hockey in Simsberry where I grew up. We always had a backyard rink and there were three public outdoor rinks in town so my friends and I would play all the time. There was always ice available.”

A standout at Simsbury High, Cross tried out for the US National U17 team but ultimately decided to forgo the opportunity and play in Ann Arbour, Michigan to stay close to home and play at Westminster Prep. A year later, the US National program called again with the opportunity to play for the U18 team at the World Championships in Finland.

“I jumped at the chance. It was a huge tournament in the spring of my draft year. I got to play with awesome players like James Van Riemsdyk and Ryan McDonough and also spend a month in Finland playing against the big boys like Canada and Russia.”

Following the tournament, Cross entered the summer of 2007 in prime position to be drafted by an NHL team. The Boston Bruins would take the 6’3” defenseman 35^th overall in the second round of the draft. The whole process was a blur to Tommy.

“The whole year leading up to the draft there’s some buzz about scouts being at games and where you rank. I was following it, but it went by in a flash. It was pretty special to be picked by the Bruins since I went to school in Boston and also being from the North East. I was also a huge Ray Bourque fan growing up. It worked out very well.”

Following the draft there was an opportunity to then play major junior hockey with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats in Canada, but Cross had his sights set on the NCAA.

“Growing up in the Northeast, I watched college hockey on NESN and the MSG Network. I was around college hockey a lot and some of the guys that I looked up to were college hockey players. College hockey was the route that was ingrained in me. There was only one path. I ended up going to BC and it was four incredible years.”

Part of the draw of Boston College was the opportunity for Cross to play for a dynamic program under the tutelage of coach Jerry York.

“The opportunity to play for coach York was incredible,” Cross remembers. “He’s a legendary coach and he set the foundation and the culture. He was a big part of our growth as a team and the mentality of ‘playing for something bigger than yourself.’ Some guys would make sacrifices in order to be a part of this winning team.”

Cross enjoyed four strong seasons which saw him score 60 points in 134 games for the Eagles. By his senior season Cross was named team Captain. The Eagles ended up winning two NCAA Championships in 2010 and 2012 fuelled by a roster full of NHL calibre talent. Over Tommy’s four seasons at Boston College, Cross played with the likes of Cam Atkinson, Brian Gibbons, Ben Smith, Jimmy Hayes, Chris Kreider, Brian Dumoulin, Paul Carey, Kevin Hayes and Johnny Gaudreau. For Cross, the wins and accolades were especially memorable because of a tight-knit locker room.

“We had a great group of guys. It started with a great group of juniors and seniors in my first year and continued to be a great locker room my whole time. We were all really close since a lot of guys were from New England who grew up big BC fans.”

Following a successful college career, Cross’ first full professional hockey season was in 2012. He split time with the AHL’s Providence Bruins and the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays. The transition to the professional ranks was especially tough considering his rookie season coincided with an NHL lockout.

“My first season was the NHL lockout year so there was a lot of good talent playing in the AHL and ECHL. Every night you were playing against good players and you had to get used to the rigours of the professional game. You’re playing against grown men. They’re strong, fast and the game is more structured.”

A rough introduction to the AHL prompted an assignment to the ECHL. It was a chance for the young defenseman to learn the ins and outs of professional hockey on a team where he could be more of a focal point.

“The Bruins sent me to South Carolina to figure out my game and get lots of minutes. It was a big test for me at the time to deal with more responsibility and prove that I belong at the next level. I ended up getting called back up to the AHL by Thanksgiving. Once I did, I then had to prove I could help out the team on a nightly basis in Providence.  It was all part of the learning curve.”

Cross would play three full seasons with Providence before getting his shot at the NHL in 2015.  Tommy was 26 years old at the time and felt like there was an opportunity.

“I had been around a few years. I wasn’t a young prospect anymore, but I knew there could be an opportunity as a ‘call-up guy.’ It just so happened that someone on the Bruins got sick and I had been playing well at the time.”

It was during a practice in Providence where Cross got word of his promotion to the NHL. As he remembers it, then-coach Bruce Cassidy called him into his office to break the news.

“Cassidy said something like, ‘Get packed, the team plane leaves in an hour from the Hansom Air Force Base.’ I remember calling my family and telling them ‘Hey I’ll be home but not for long. I’m grabbing my suit and then I’m out the door for Boston.’”

The whole experience raced by as Cross met the team plane before take-off for Colorado. The flight was his first brush in with the NHL lifestyle.

“The plane was waiting for me to take off. Stepping on the plane and seeing the core group of guys, legends and Stanley Cup Champions, was really special. That was my ‘welcome to the NHL moment’.”

The October game against Colorado was an important 6-2 win for the Bruins. While the experience was nerve-wracking for Cross, some familiar faces put him at ease. Tyler Randell, Cross’ roommate from Providence, was also making his NHL debut. Cross was also greeted by college teammate Jimmy Hayes who scored a hat trick in the win. One of Tommy’s biggest takeaways from the experience? Playing at a mile high altitude.

“The altitude in Colorado would take the wind out of you on the best of days, but mix that in with the nerves and I don’t think I caught my breath the whole game.”

Cross ended up playing four NHL games over seven seasons in the Bruins organization. During his time with Providence, Cross had developed into a reliable two-way defender and a leader in the locker room. One of Tommy’s biggest influences over that time was defenseman Kevan Miller.

“I’ve been fortunate to have great friends and teammates along the way. I remember as a young guy, I looked up to Kevan in Providence. He did things the right way, prepared well for every game and was a great role model for me.”

Eventually Cross would ingrain himself in as a leader in Providence’s locker room and be named team Captain. One of the challenges he thrived on was to help younger teammates reach the next level.

“Looking back there were a lot of talented players to come through Providence that had an impact in Boston. It was fun to see younger guys put their time in. I liked to help them along their way and get them to the NHL.  I like to be a leadership presence and help to establish a good locker room.”

Away from the ice, Cross works hard to be a strong leadership presence for any locker room. One of the ways that he takes initiative is by serving as a Player Representative for the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA).

“I’ve been involved as a PHPA Player Rep over the years. I would help to relay rules, regulations and any changes with the collective bargaining agreement.  I’ve learned a lot of different programs and policies away from the ice that I’m happy to pass on some info to the younger guys.  I would make sure to communicate anything from the PHPA staff and ensure our guys knew what was going on. Throughout my years as a player, I’ve been fortunate to see the way that we’re treated and the great work that the PHPA does on our behalf.”

Last season Tommy left the Bruins organization—the only one he had known since his 2007 draft—to join the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. After a solid 34 point 2018-19 season, Cross spent the 2019 offseason looking for a new home.

The 30-year old defenseman would end up signing a two-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers where he would bring reliable play, depth, as well as a strong voice to their AHL team in Springfield. The early returns have been positive for Cross as the Thunderbirds have done nothing but impress him.

“It’s been an unbelievable transition. My wife and I love it here. The city of Springfield has a long tradition of hockey. We play in front of great crowds and a passionate fanbase. The ownership group has done a good job the past few years of producing a great product on game days. I grew up a half hour away from Springfield, so it’s almost like I’ve been able to come home.”

The team is currently in the thick of the playoff hunt with a 26-23-2 record. Cross expects the team to rise to the occasion, in large part, due to the strength of the character in the locker room.

“The culture and locker room that we have this year in Springfield is awesome. I’m excited to be a member of the Florida Panthers organization and this group of guys has been great. Paul Thompson, our captain, has established a strong locker room and the guys have all rallied around him.”

Cross currently has 7 goals and 21 points in 50 games. In his ninth season in AHL he has found that coach Kinnear has helped to spark his play at this point in his career.

“Geordie Kinnear has been an awesome coach and has helped me advance my game. It’s been a pleasure to play for him and he’s given me a jolt of energy and pushed me. Springfield has been a great spot for me.”

With the AHL season far from over, Cross continues to focus on his game to bring out the best in his team. As he reflects on his game, Tommy has become comfortable in his role and looks to be the best version of himself.

“You come into the league as a young prospect. Some guys make it to the NHL and some don’t. If you don’t you end up having to carve out a role for yourself depending on where you are and what the team needs. It can be a bit fluid, but the one constant is the work that I put into my own game. I try and maximize the player that I can be and grow every day. I just want to play the game at the highest level that I can play for as long as I can.”