USPHL Commitment Profiles: Rangers And Aviators Goalie Giglio Advances To Salem State

By Joshua Boyd / USPHL.com

Two years of strong play for two teams in the USPHL Premier have yielded exactly what goaltender Chris Giglio was seeking – the key to his future in NCAA hockey. Giglio, a 2005-born goaltender from Merrick, N.Y., made his commitment to Salem State University in Massachusetts, and he is certainly excited about his future with the Vikings. 

“My commitment to Salem State University was just the absolute best opportunity for me and my future academically as much as athletically at this time in my career. I had the opportunity during the recruiting process to spend considerable time communicating with the Salem State University hockey program and my new coaches there, which led up to my commitment to the Vikings,” added Giglio. “I can say, without hesitation, that the coaches have provided me with an outstanding opportunity to become part of their program this coming fall, and it was a no-brainer for me to accept this opportunity.” 

Giglio has played for both the Brooklyn Aviators and Connecticut Jr. Rangers during his two seasons in the USPHL Premier between 2023 and 2025. He also saw time up in the NCDC with the Utica Jr. Comets. He credited all three USPHL organizations with helping push him towards the Salem State squad. 

“I had another year of junior eligibility, but I was lucky enough with the help of all my coaches within my organizations to land this opportunity to move forward and pursue my goals of playing college hockey at the NCAA level,” he added. “I have been confident through this recruiting process that, of all the schools I had spoken with and been considered by, Salem State stood out as the best place for me. Everything came together at the right time, and Salem State made this possible for me.”

Giglio played in a total of 36 games during his two USPHL Premier seasons, and had earlier played in the USPHL 16U Division (now the Tier 1 Hockey Federation 16U Division), winning a 16U title with the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders in 2022. 

“All organizations ultimately had their positive effects on me and my hockey career and gave me the exposure and development I needed to achieve the next level and am very appreciative for both the doors that opened up because of them and the opportunities it led me to today,” he said. 

Giglio joined the Jr. Rangers towards the end of the 2023-24 season and helped them win their first-ever National Championship, a major highlight in his career. 

“My two years in the USPHL, although being on very different paths, again helped lead me to my next stepping stone in the hockey world being the NCAA level. I was lucky enough to hoist the National Championship trophy up in Utica my first year in junior hockey, which is an experience many can’t say they’ve had. That day is one that will never be forgotten,” he added. 

In 2024-25, Brooklyn struggled at times, but he added that even those overall team struggles were a big part of his development in terms of handling adversity, en route to becoming an NCAA student-athlete. 

“I was on a very different team with very different surroundings, but it was somewhere I needed to be to really work on my craft and get the most out of everyday to bring my game to the next level, which it had done in numerous ways,” he said. “Although some days were tougher than others I’ll never forget those days in Brooklyn when it just felt like a grind. That’s what matured me into the man and goalie I am today and I am forever thankful for those memories.”

Salem State had seen Giglio with both of his junior teams over the years and certainly like what they saw as he experienced two different levels of team success. 

“The Salem State coaching staff did their own research on me. They believed that my competitiveness, speed, attitude, and other skill sets in net, were the right mix and fit for the future goaltenders they envisioned recruiting for their program,” Giglio added. “I believe I can best help the program by learning everything I can from these coaches and returning players who were so successful last season while adjusting to the NCAA level of play in my first year, competing as best I can to challenge my teammates and further develop myself as a collegiate player, and be a great teammate at all times. I am committed to doing whatever is asked to help this program from Day 1.”  

Every hockey player from preschool students in Learn to Play programs to the best NHL players always make sure to get the most out of practice and training. Getting better never ends. 

“Everyone everywhere is constantly working on their craft and I look to continue to do so in all aspects of my game for my next four years as a Viking,” he said. “The one thing I particularly may look to most improve on is my mental aspect to the game as being a goalie I firmly believe that goaltending is just as much of a mental battle as it is a physical one. You can have the absolute highest of highs and lowest of lows and I’ve been through that roller coaster more times than I can count in my career and I’m not nearly done yet.”

The USPHL congratulates Chris Giglio, his family, the Connecticut Jr. Rangers and Brooklyn Aviators, and Salem State University for his commitment.