NCDC Commitment Profiles: Utica All-Division Defenseman Volpe Advancing To Bowdoin
By Alexis Demopoulos
After working his way back from an injury, Utica Jr. Comets defenseman Ricky Volpe had a tremendous bounce-back year. This is evident in the results – he earned both a selection to the New England All-Division Second Team and an NCAA Division III commitment to Bowdoin College for the 2025-26 season.
Volpe, a native of Commack, N.Y., spent the 2024-25 season with the Jr. Comets and had a tremendous experience. In 53 regular season games, Volpe tallied an impressive 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) and was a solid blue-liner for the team all season long – to the point of being voted in by the New England Division coaches for his postseason individual honor.
Volpe also previously played for the Rockets Hockey Club (2022-24).
“After being injured almost the entirety of the 23-24 season, my future was up in the air,” said Volpe. “When Lou traded for me and I arrived in Utica, he and coaches Johnny Jackson and Andy Starczewski welcomed me with open arms. The program is run incredibly well, has some of the best facilities in the league, and puts its players’ success first. They promote creativity and a fast-paced game, all things that catered perfectly to me and made it a perfect fit.”
Volpe started communicating with Bowdoin Assistant Coach Sean Walsh in October at the Hitmen Showcase. The two stayed in touch and he quickly built a relationship with Walsh and Head Coach Ben Guite.
“The coaches at Bowdoin liked my skating ability and my skill sets particularly on the offensive side of the puck and on the power play,” said Volpe.
Volpe was so impressed by Bowdoin in terms of their hockey program and their academics and he knew he would thrive there.
“Bowdoin offers rigorous elements in every facet of life there,” said Volpe. “Both in the classroom and on the ice they will allow me to grow as a human being and develop my game in a prestigious conference. Being that Bowdoin is a great hockey program where I will get an education that will set me up for life, it was a no brainer.”
Volpe really immersed himself in the culture when he visited Bowdoin and he could really see himself there.
“I visited the campus during the Bowdoin/Colby game,” said Volpe. “The environment sold me, it was something truly special. Also, the small, tight-knit campus provided a sense of community which felt like home.”
With just a few months until Volpe heads to Bowdoin, he will be working hard on making the transition to the college level.
“In making the transition to Bowdoin, I need to work on becoming more reliable with defensive zone positioning and becoming less of a high-risk, high-reward player,” said Volpe.
The NCDC congratulates Ricky Volpe, his family, the Utica Jr. Comets and Bowdoin College for his commitment.