It all started in the crease for Bellows Falls, Vt., native Elliott Groenewold.
As the youngest of three brothers growing up in the small town of just over 2,700 residents, he was assigned to goaltending duties when the family hit the ice for open skate. That started his love for the game, and while he quickly transitioned into a defenseman, that valuable experience helped his outlook on the sport.
“I think it definitely could have had an impact on the way I think the game,” Groenewold said. “Defense first, doing the job in your own end.”
The 18-year-old has progressed significantly since then, now suiting up for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL and set to begin his collegiate career at Quinnipiac in the fall.
He’s also considered to be a prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft, with NHL Central Scouting ranking him as the 75th-best North American skater eligible. This likely would make him a mid to late-round draft pick in June.
Before his time with the RoughRiders, Groenewold ventured north of the border to play high school hockey for Bishop’s College School in Sherbrooke, Que. He played for multiple teams within the Bears’ hockey program, registering 84 points in three seasons while representing the school.
He credited his time in Canada as something that not only helped him grow as a player but also helped him mature and learn how to live away from home.
“I think it certainly helped, going to school before coming here, because I was already ready for it,” Groenewold said. “I’ve already experienced that before, being away from my parents and family.”
He potted four goals and 10 assists in his first 48 games for the RoughRiders this season and patrols the blue line on the team’s first pair. The RoughRiders feature two other players from New England in Landan Resendes (Marlboro, Mass.) and Niko Tournas (Redding, Conn.). It’s also where New England players including Adam Gaudette (Braintree, Mass.), Marc McLaughlin (North Billerica, Mass.) and Aidan McDonough (Milton, Mass.) played before they embarked on collegiate careers.
Groenewold classifies himself as a two-way player who is responsible defensively and models his game after Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm.
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“I think he's a really good skater,” Groenewold said. “He defends well, he takes pride in his defense and like me kind of jumps in the offense when he can. I really like the way he plays."
RoughRiders head coach Mark Carlson, who played for UMass Lowell from 1990-93, praised Groenewold’s maturity and growth this season.
“I think he's improved in all areas of the game,” Carlson said. “He definitely influences defensive play, like all young players do when they come to the league.”
Groenewold admitted that transitioning to the USHL was a challenge, but that he felt very comfortable after just a few matchups.
“At the start, it was definitely eye-opening for me,” Groenewold said. “Everyone here in this league is very competitive, very skilled. And everyone in this league is a great player, so getting used to the speed and even the physicality of the league, it took me a few games. I think I've settled in pretty nicely.”
Carlson said the USHL will prepare Groenewold extremely well for his future days at Quinnipiac, as the league’s talented player pool has a reputation for preparing its participants for the next level.
“It's the best developmental junior league in the world,” Carlson said. “If you're a young player, and you have real aspirations to play in the National Hockey League, it's really important that you practice with and play against the best players in the world every single day. There are 25 Division 1 scholarship athletes on the ice every single day. There's no other league in the world that can say that.”
He committed to play for the Bobcats in August 2022, which was the summer before the program earned its first NCAA Division 1 championship. He said the opportunity to join a team with a tradition like Quinnipiac’s is something he is proud of, and that playing in the ECAC is something he always dreamed of.
“It's an honor,” Groenewold said. “Watching them play five or six years back, it's like, ‘Wow, these guys are really good. Everyone out there is a good hockey player.’ ”
He also will enjoy being a little closer to home, as it has required either a trip over the border or a plane ride for his family and friends to see him play for the past few years. While he will be a few states away for home games, being within his home region is something he said he is looking forward to.
“They'll be able to come down every weekend and watch me play,” Groenewold said. “I've got a lot of friends in Vermont and Connecticut that are close by that will be able to come to games. It's definitely going to be a bit of a homecoming, and I’m really excited for that.”
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Groenewold said he wants to take his future as it comes and will gladly take any opportunity he can get to rise up the hockey ranks.
“I want to go to the rink and become a better player each and every day,” Groenewold said. “I think that's a pretty common goal for guys that want to move on to the next level. Another one is to have a good collegiate career and hopefully at the end of it be able to sign an NHL contract and have a long career in that league.”
Until then, he wants to finish his season with the RoughRiders on a positive.
“I've had my good experience throughout the start of the season and want to finish on a high note and really continue to develop and grow my game,” Groenewold said.
