USPHL Commitment Profiles: Mercer’s Rose Moving On To Western Connecticut State
Photo By Heather O’Connell / Mercer Chiefs
By Joshua Boyd / USPHL.com
Francis Rose was a heart-and-soul player for the Mercer Chiefs’ inaugural USPHL Premier team, bringing in key NCDC experience and becoming Chiefs’ first-ever leading scorer.
One first-year team experience is in the books, and another is on tap, as Rose will become a member of the inaugural Western Connecticut State University NCAA Division III hockey team in 2025-26.
“I first started talking to WestConn in early January. They liked my style of play, the speed and intensity I brought to the game, my skating ability and the ability to control the puck and make plays,” added Rose, a 2004-born native of Clarkston, Mich. “There’s so much to like about WestConn – a top notch campus, an extremely big and nice rink, and lots of really cool facilities at their campus.
“Also, Head Coach Doug Friedman knows the game a lot, and he has been around the game his whole life and even coached at a very high level,” Rose said. “He’s all around a great coach and even a better person. He’s always checking up on me, and always there when I need him or have any questions about hockey or even life. I know he’s going to push me to my limit this year and turn me into a better hockey player and a better person.”
Coming out of prestigious Michigan programs including Belle Tire, Victory Honda and Little Caesars, Rose began his junior career in the NCDC in 2023-24, totaling 21 games between three teams – the Chiefs, Thunder Hockey Club and Northern Cyclones. From there, he joined the Chiefs’ Premier team and scored 25 goals and added 35 assists for 60 points in 43 games, and then added three points in four playoff games.
“First off, I loved the Mercer coaching staff and the players around me. It’s a great environment at Mercer, everyone buys in together and it’s a family there. I was on the NCDC team my first year and premier my second. Both years I was treated the same, and I was super close with both coaching staffs of both teams,” said Rose.
“Mercer is a great organization. They know how to get kids to the next level, and turn them into really good hockey players and really good people. Coach Kevin St. Jacques and Coach Rob Broderick both really pushed me over the last two years and are both a huge factor in why I’m playing NCAA D3 next year,” Rose added. “If it wasn’t for them and all the hard work they put in every single day, day in and day out, I wouldn’t be here today. All the extra video sessions and on ice sessions and meetings I had with them made me a much stronger, faster, better player and even helped me grow up the last two years.”
Rose certainly got to know the two top levels of the United States Premier Hockey League well going back to 2023, and certainly recommends that route to any player looking to move on to NCAA hockey. He’ll join more than 300 players advancing to the NCAA level from both leagues, including alumni who are joining the D1 ranks.
“There are tons of opportunities and exposure within the USPHL and NCDC. Both leagues give you lots of experience and exposure. In both leagues, I feel like I developed a ton as a player and I believe my game grew a lot over the last two years,” Rose said. “With all of the showcases and everything, there’s always someone watching. I’d like to thank the USPHL and NCDC for that. They give the kids in this league so much opportunity to go play at the next level and I couldn’t be more thankful for them and all of the work they put into running the league and all of the showcases they have for us players.”
It’s going to be a jump from the USPHL to the NCAA brand of hockey, and Rose is keeping himself busy this summer to make sure he is a help to WestConn on all fronts.
“The first thing I need to work on this off-season are getting bigger and stronger. The next level that’s the first difference I have noticed even just playing in both the NCDC and Premier,” said Rose. “Also, just the little things I need to work on such as staying in shape, shooting pucks, working on my shot is something I will always work on along with my little habits on the ice, body language, not losing my touch. All around, it’s going to be a fun and hard off-season, in the gym, on the ice working on my game, working on myself and working on the little things that will make me stand out next year at the next level.”
The USPOHL congratulates Francis Rose, his family, the Mercer Chiefs and Western Connecticut State University for his commitment.