Meet the Freshmen: Tony Calderone
10/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Over the next few weeks, each of the eight new faces on the Michigan ice hockey roster will be introduced to fans, providing a first look at the freshman class. This week, forward Tony Calderone talks with MGoBlue.com about his path to Michigan.
Calderone, a native of Trenton, Mich., grew up wanting to play for the University of Michigan and will get his chance starting this season. Calderone was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 USHL Draft after a standout season (38 goals, 27 assists in 40 games) with the Victory Honda U18 Team in 2011-12, where Calderone was teammates with current classmates Cutler Martin and Alex Talcott. For the last two seasons, Calderone played for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL, finishing second on the team in goal scoring and fifth on the team in points with 24 goals and 17 assists in 60 games played.
Talk about your familiarity with Michigan's program before you arrived here ...
Growing up in Trenton, Mich., which is only 40 minutes away, Michigan's program was all I knew. I was very familiar with Michigan.
Who was your hockey hero growing up and why?
Brendan Shanahan was my hero because I am a huge Red Wings fan. He was the reason I wore No. 14 my whole life. I was pretty upset when I wasn't able to wear it in juniors.
Describe yourself as a player in a few sentences. What aspects of the game would you like to improve here?
I'm a hardworking, hard nose player who likes to shoot the puck. I want to improve my defensive game while I'm here.
Talk about your recruitment to Michigan, when it started and when/why you made your final decision to come here ...
It started this year around February. Before I even started talking to the staff at Michigan I knew I wanted to come here. This has always been my dream school.
What are some off-ice interests that people wouldn't necessarily know about you?
I absolutely love fishing. I could be out on the water all day and not catch a fish and still be happy.
• Previous Q&A: Cutler Martin
