The New Jersey 87’s are proud to announce that Patrick DeMarinis has committed to play Division II hockey at St. Anselm College.

DeMarinis, a 19-year-old forward from Wall, NJ, is in his second season with the 87’s EHL team and third year with the program. In the 2022-23 season, DeMarinis has recorded 25 points (12g, 13a) in 42 regular-season games with the 87’s EHL team.

“Pat came to us when we had the 87’s EHL team established, practiced with us a couple of times and then joined us the following year, and then watching his progression to get to the NCAA level has been tremendous.”

Saint Anselm College is a Division II program located in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Competing in the Northeast 10 Conference, the Hawks are led by head coach Larry Rocha.

DeMarinis spoke about his commitment and what it means to achieve his goal of playing college hockey.

“Committing to college to play NCAA hockey has been a goal of mine for a very long time. It feels amazing to finally be rewarded for all the sacrifices I made for this goal,” DeMarinis said. “St. Anselm just finished first in the NE-10 and have had a long successful history in the NCAA, so getting the opportunity to go to a school like that is something I couldn't pass up.”

When he first joined the program in 2019-20, DeMarinis recorded 31 points (11g, 20a) in 32 games with the 87’s EHLP team. He went on to score three goals and five points over four playoff games, helping the 87’s to its first EHLP championship.

In the 2021-22 campaign, DeMarinis started out with the 87’s 18u team and put up 40 points (15g, 25a) in 58 games. He also played 24 regular-season games for the EHL team and remained in the lineup as the team secured its first EHL title in Providence, Rhode Island.

Houli brought up DeMarinis’ local ties and his willingness to stay in the area and work his way up the ranks with the 87’s.

“He’s a kid that truly believed in what we did was one of the first kids in the local area to really see us for who we are and what we can do, and now he’s one of the few kids in the local area to play NCAA hockey."

DeMarinis spoke about his decision to stay in the area and how he grew as a hockey player throughout his tenure with the 87’s.

“It was the end of my u16 season when I first started practicing with the 87’s. I still remember my first few practices I had felt like I got more out of them than my entire season up to that point. Both coaches, Adam Houli and Matt Kiernan, have helped me drastically improve on the ice,” he said.

He continued, “The culture they have built with the 87s is nothing like anything I've ever been a part of before. Your best is expected day in and day out as they will push you to achieve your goals. Developing here with the New Jersey 87’s, moving up through the teams has been a challenging but rewarding process and I’d want nothing more than to bring home another championship for the program that has done so much for me.”

The 87’s organization would like to congratulate Patrick and his family as he prepares to advance his hockey career to the Division II collegiate level.