Young hockey pro shoots for his dream and scores his high school diploma

When given the opportunity to play in the competitive Major Junior Hockey League, 17-year-old Joshua Gionfriddo had to decide whether or not to finish his senior year at his high school or move to Alberta, Canada, to pursue his dream.

It was a no-brainer.

The Major Junior League is one of two routes leading to the National Hockey League — the other being college — and is considered the fast track to the pros. Entering the league now, he says, "gives you more time to develop and become a better player. I was ready to do it."

With the question of playing in Canada answered, Gionfriddo then needed to answer another — how he would finish high school. His guidance counselor recommended MU High, which his dad, Mike, chose for one primary reason — positive communications with staff.

"The staff has been very good and very clear," Mike says. "That's one thing that's important to me — knowing what he has to get done and how the process works. There's no mystery to it. From my perspective, that has been very helpful."

And this wasn't the first time the Gionfriddos looked to MU. Joshua studied independently earlier in high school when he had to make up some credits due to an injury.

"This was his best option," says Mike. "MU has given him some flexibility. It's also given him the opportunity to earn a legitimate high school diploma from a good place. You add that all together and it turns out to be a real positive experience."

Joshua agrees. "It's easy to use," he says. "I thought it would be hard learning on my own, but actually I think I'm learning more myself than sitting in a classroom every day."

Because he gives up his NCAA eligibility by playing in what is considered a professional league, pursuing hockey in college won't be an option. However, he has earned three years of college scholarship money by playing in the league and has until age 20 either to apply it or be drafted into the NHL.

Joshua is hoping for the latter. A huge hockey fan since age 6, he says, "When I was younger, I always had a dream of playing in the NHL. Once I realized maybe I can actually do this, I decided to pursue it pretty hard and not just as a hobby."

With a strict schedule of practice, studying, working out and community service — in addition to 72 games a season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Gionfriddo says the work is well worth the effort.

"It's fun. It's exciting. Every team you're on, you make new best friends. You're like brothers, and there's nothing like it in the world. Every game you're playing is in front of 5,000 people each night. It's just awesome."

Mike Gionfriddo also is happy — that his son is earning his high school diploma, earning money for college and pursuing his dream.

"This has been his dream forever," he says. "Some kids want to be a doctor or a fireman. He's always wanted to be a hockey player. And God has given him good skill and a good heart, of which the latter is probably most important. So, let him try."