Name the player on the National Team Development Program Under-17 team who speaks four languages — English, German, Italian and Spanish. If you guessed Thomas Di Pauli, you would be correct. And boy, does he have a story to tell.
Di Pauli was born in Italy, near the Austrian border. He moved to the United States with his mom, sister, and older brother when he was 13 years old. It was a move that allowed him to continue his hockey career, but at the same time, it split up his family. His dad still lives in Italy since he is not a U.S. citizen.
“I first started playing hockey in Italy,” Di Pauli said. “When I was 3, my dad signed me up to play on a local team and at first, I really didn’t like it. I liked the hockey part but I hated to get dressed. My coach used to carry me around on the ice so I wouldn’t quit. For the first three years, he carried me around. It started to get serious when I was 10 when I realized that I was good at hockey.”
Although his father does not call the U.S. home, he’s able to travel enough to see his son’s hockey career progress.
“My dad moves back and forth since he is not a U.S. citizen. He can only stay here for a certain amount of time,” Di Pauli said.
Di Pauli and his older brother, Theo, have always been close. Theo has always had an influence on his younger brother.
“I have always compared myself to him. Even when I was young, I would try and beat him at everything he did and he would try to beat me. There was always competition to see who was better, or who got more points. He has helped me a lot to become the player that I am,” Di Pauli said.
Theo currently plays for the Chicago Steel, and younger brother did get the first victory between the two when the U-17s posted a 3-1 win over the Steel on Oct. 10. And yes, younger brother did score Team USA’s third goal.
“That was the first time I had played against (Theo). We had always been on the same team and we were in the same organization (Chicago Mission),” De Pauli said. “He played for the Steel last year. I liked playing against him; it was fun. I gave him a nice big hit and he fell.”
Di Pauli arrived at the NTDP in Ann Arbor, Mich., after appearing in 49 games for the Chicago Mission Midget Minor team in 2009-10. He tallied 70 points on 29 goals and 41 assists. In 11 games for the NTDP this season, he is tied for the team lead with eight points (3 goals, 5 assists).
The toughest part of his transition has been school.
“Missing school and then having to recover has been tough,” Di Pauli said. “The teachers have been pretty good about that, knowing that we are going to miss days.”
Whether it’s schoolwork, practice or off-ice training, Di Pauli is prepared to give it his best. The opportunity to wear the USA hockey jersey is something that he does not take lightly. He knows the responsibility that it carries.
“It means the world to me,” Di Pauli said of wearing the red, white and blue. “The first time I did against Youngstown, it was amazing. It is the biggest honor to represent your country so you want to represent in a good way, both on and off the ice. Everybody knows who you are and you do not want to put a bad name to yourself.”
Di Pauli relished the chance to wear the USA jersey at the Under-17 Four Nations Cup. He played hockey at Seven Bridges Ice Arena, site of the tournament, when he moved to the United States.
“It is going to be pretty awesome, I think,” Di Pauli prior to departing for the tournament. “Knowing the opponents are your own age and have been through the same thing that you have been through on the ice.”
Despite his move across the Atlantic for an opportunity to continue his love of hockey, Di Pauli wouldn’t trade his plot.
“It is the best place if you are willing to work hard every day, on and off the ice,” Di Pauli said. “You have to enjoy it but at the same time, you have to work hard every day. It is going to be tough but it will make you better.”
And, who knows, if the team needs a translator — they will know where to turn.
Toch jammer dat dit soort spelers niet gewoon voor Italie spelen, in de VS komen ze mss/wsl niet verder dan de onder 18 of onder 20 terwijl ze in Italie jarenlang in het NT kunnen spelen en ook WK's en OS mee kunnen maken
Larkin, Krupp, Bozon 1,2, Walker kiezen wel voor kleinere landen
"We moeten ons bewust zijn van de superioriteit van onze beschaving, met zijn normen en waarden, welvaart voor de mensen, respect voor mensenrechten en godsdienstvrijheid. Dat respect bestaat zeker niet in de Islamitische wereld".