From Thorold to the NHL: The story of Sean Bentivoglio

On Oct. 16, 1985, Sean Bentivoglio was born in the small city of Thorold, Ontario.
Twenty-three years, five months and 17 days later, Bentivoglio achieved his life-long dream when he played his first ever game in the National Hockey League.
Presently, the 24-year-old is in his fourth season in the American Hockey League and third with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the minor league affiliate of the NHL's New York Islanders.
A Toronto Maple Leafs fan growing up, the 5'11" 185-pound forward got the call that he was heading up to play for the Islanders last April.
"In the morning I went in for practice and the coach called me and told me that I was going up to play," recalls Bentivoglio. "Once I got the call, I just called my family and friends back home and as many of them made it down as they could."
Growing up in Thorold, Bentivoglio played his junior hockey for the Thorold Blackhawks. He immediately made an impact with the team, netting a hat trick in his very first game.
In the 2002-03 season, his second with the 'Hawks, Bentivoglio was part of one of the most dominating lines the league has ever seen. Playing alongside Chris Risi and Bill Zalba, the trio combined for 115 goals and a remarkable 285 points, 97 of which were by Bentivoglio. He finished the season with 33 goals and 64 assists in 45 games played. That year, he was named the Golden Horseshoe Playoff MVP, was awarded the Molson Canadian Award for most three star selections and was named to the 2002-03 Golden Horseshoe All-Star team.
"That whole season was just one great memory for me," said Bentivoglio. "Being able to play with a lot of my close friends and playing on that line with Chris and Billy Zalba [was great]."
The young forward would go on to play for Niagara University, while earning a degree in Accounting. In four seasons with the Purple Eagles, he tallied 132 points in 145 games played.
"The fondest thing is all the friendships you develop over the four years," said Bentivoglio of his CHA career. "I think just the experience of going to college and playing with the same guys for four years and having those special friendships that you have for the rest of your life [was my favourite aspect]."
Bentivoglio played his first, and thus far only, NHL game on Apr. 2, 2009, suiting up against the Montreal Canadiens. In the game, he earned himself over 11 minutes of ice-time and two shots on Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak.
"Just getting to the rink and being in the room with all the guys is great," he said. "A lot of the older guys made me feel like it was just another hockey game."
In retrospect, it was a lot more than just another game, as a simple phone call allowed a small-town Canadian kid the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong goal.
"It's huge," said Bentivoglio of playing in his first career NHL game. "I think if you make the sacrifice and work hard then it eventually pays off for you."
While fortunate enough to fulfill the dream of just about every child growing up in Canada, Bentivoglio received a different kind of phone call last summer when informed that the Thorold Blackhawks had plans to retire his No. 14.
On Dec. 23, 2009, standing on the same ice where he played two seasons as a Blackhawk, Bentivoglio took part in a small ceremony prior to the club's match-up versus the St. Catharines Falcons.
"It definitely did mean a lot to me," said Bentivoglio of the recognition by his hometown. "Growing up in Thorold and always going to games as a kid, to have my jersey up there means a lot."
When all is said and done, Bentivoglio is simply a small-town kid who is playing the game he loves. With the city of Thorold collectively embracing his accomplishments, Bentivoglio eagerly awaits the opportunity to make his much-anticipated return to National Hockey League action.