NCDC Die-Hards: West Chester Wolves’ Harrison Kinne
By Joshua Boyd / USPHL.com
It’s a big responsibility to bear the “C” on your chest for a team, but in fourth-year NCDC veteran Harrison Kinne, the West Chester Wolves know they truly have a team-first player.
He simply loves the team culture of the Wolves, so he didn’t even think twice about returning for another season, his second with the organization that made its debut in 2024-25.
“It came down to the staff and the group of guys that are returning,” said Kinne, who was confirmed as Captain again for 2025-26 by Head Coach R.C. Lyke. “Last year, our coaches gave me an opportunity that is hard to pass up. I value their dedication and trust in me. Everyone in and around the organization makes each person feel welcome. Returning with a bunch of my teammates from last year is going to be great for our locker room and the organization as a whole.”
Kinne, a 2005-born native of Swampscott, Mass., first saw NCDC ice in 2021-22, when he earned a call-up from the Boston Junior Bruins’ 16U team to their NCDC squad for a single game. Two seasons later, Kinne was an NCDC regular in 2023-24 for the Junior Bruins. That NCDC franchise was sold to the Wolves’ ownership group in 2024 and Kinne made the journey to Pennsylvania. The Wolves will be facing the new Junior Bruins NCDC team in their very first game of the season on Sept. 11 at the NCDC Hitmen Classic Kickoff Showcase.
“For starters, I’ve grown a couple inches and have put on 15-20 pounds since my first game, which has definitely helped. Outside of continuing to grow physically, I feel that playing a game at 16 made me realize how quick your decision-making has to be,” Kinne said. “Now, I believe my ability to think the game and slow it down is one of my strongest assets.”
Kinne has played in a total of 78 games, registering 32 points over that time, with the majority coming this past season when he put up 24 points in 47 games in his first season as an NCDC Captain. He clearly took leadership by example to heart.
“Since I first got to West Chester, I feel like I’ve gotten more comfortable and confident on the ice,” said Kinne. “The coaches put their faith in me and have allowed me to play my game. My style of play has matured as well. I think I’ve transitioned my game from less of a AAA style into more of a college hockey style of play.”
Be ready for an even more determined game coming from Kinne in his fourth NCDC campaign.
“I think being more assertive and trying to be a little less conservative,” he said, when asked how he’ll up his game in 2025-26. “When opportunities present themselves on the ice, I should be taking them more often than I have been in the past. On top of that, I’m looking to keep sharpening my details of the game, as that makes a huge difference the higher the levels you play at.”
He also appreciates how tough it is to play and get wins in the Atlantic Conference of the NCDC, home of three straight Dineen Cup Champions in the Jersey Hitmen (2021 and 2022) and the P.A.L. Jr. Islanders (2023).
“I think the Atlantic Conference is the deepest and best in the NCDC,” Kinne added. “There are no nights off and you have to be prepared and ready to go every single game. It’s the only conference where you didn’t see any realignment during the off-season, so I’m expecting much of the same again this year.”