Islanders Hocley Club forward Jon Tavella, center, was Rivier's first of 17 new hockey recruits. (Photo courtesy of Rivier University)

Recruiting is all about connections, and that’s what new Rivier University men’s hockey coach Eric Sorenson enjoyed in recently landing his first of 17 new recruits.

United States Premier Hockey League player Jon Tavella has committed to Rivier University for the 2021-22 season. He’s currently a forward on the Islanders Hockey Club in the National Collegiate Development Conference, and he and Sorenson are more than coach and future player.

They have a history.

“What makes this even more special, is that I played hockey with Jon’s older brother Dave at Western New England University,” Sorenson said “It’s is great to see him go from the 10-year-old running around Smead Arena, where we played our WNE home games, to the standout hockey player and person he is now.”

And Sorenson doesn’t hold back when he talks about those qualities.

“Jon is a hardworking, gritty, and talented forward, who plays with an edge,” Sorenson said. “He has a tremendous hockey IQ and sees the ice very well. His ability to skate at a high level combined with his competitive nature will make him a valuable member of our men’s program and the Rivier community moving forward.

“We are incredibly excited that he chose to be the first member of our men’s ice hockey family.”

The Tavellas are a dedicated hockey family. Jon’s older brother and sister both played hockey throughout their school careers.

“I went to all my brother’s and sister’s games growing up, and that’s where I really fell for the sport,” says Tavella. “I loved seeing the crowd, and the hockey was so fast and intense. Playing college hockey has been a goal of mine ever since I could lace ’em up.”

Tavella is from East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and has played hockey since age 4. He was a member of the varsity hockey teams at Pope Francis Preparatory School–the premier high school program out of Western Massachusetts–and Tilton School prior to joining the Islanders Hockey Club.

Heading into his high school sophomore year, he was named MVP of the Hockey Night in Boston Tournament, a major hockey tournament in New England that takes place each summer.

Following that achievement, he received MVP awards at the Cardinal Classic and Cardinal Invitational hosted by Pope Francis. Tavella’s decorated career at Pope Francis did not stop there. He scored 101 career points in three seasons at Pope Francis and was the top scorer two consecutive years in the Super 8 – Massachusetts annual high school ice hockey tournament held at TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins, to crown a state champion. Tavella is the seventh all-time top scorer in Super 8 history.

With experience and motivation to match his talent, Tavella was in demand as a recruit. He considered Curry College, Stonehill College, Fitchburg State University, the University of Southern Maine, and Salve Regina University, but ultimately chose Rivier “because there’s opportunity at this school for everyone.”

“My decision to come to Rivier was pretty simple–the location, the size, and Coach Sorenson leading the program make it a great fit,” Tavella said. “From a hockey standpoint, I like the challenge of being a new club and proving to everyone what Rivier University is all about. As a first-year program, we have the chance to do something very special.”

The Raiders have been eager to expand their athletic program, making that major announcement in October of adding men’s and women’s hockey.

“Jon was a strong first recruit to our men’s ice hockey program,” said Joanne Merrill, Director of Athletics. “I have confidence that his talents and leadership on and off the ice will fuel his success at Rivier and be an inspiration to other students as well.”

Tavella will join Rivier’s Class of 2025 this coming fall as a business major and student-athlete. “I am extremely honored to be the first hockey commit at Rivier,” he said. “I’m blessed to have this opportunity and can’t wait to meet all my classmates and teammates. I know there are great things ahead for the University and the Rivier ice hockey programs.”

“Having Jon join Rivier hockey as our first recruit was a huge step in getting the program going where we all want it to go,” Sorenson said. “He is driven by the goal of success, of winning, and that is the mindset that will fill our locker room.”

(Michelle Marrone is the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications/Senior Writer at Rivier University)

Newsletter