Jeff Dwyer ’00 Returns to the AHL Choatie Goes Professional
By Danilo Lobo Dias ’08
Editor
Jeff Dwyer, a Class of 2000 graduate from Choate, recently signed a contract with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, marking his return to the American Hockey League. While playing under Coach Bill Maniscalco and Assistant Coach Ray Diffley, Dwyer helped Choate win back-to-back Lawrenceville Tournaments and well as reach the New England semi-finals during his junior year. In his senior year, Dwyer was drafted to the Thrashers, a NHL team from Atlanta, Georgia. However, before going professional, Dwyer attended Yale University and signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2004. After playing within the Atlanta Organization for two years, he played one year in Italy before returning to the Untied States. While playing for an ECHL team, the Utah Grizzlies, Dwyer tallied 2 goals and 10 assists as a defender. In late January of this year, Dwyer signed with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, an AHL team affiliated with the NY Islanders.
Choate was integral in preparing Dwyer for the next level. He arrived in Wallingford as a sophmore, hailing from New Canaan, CT. “I owe so much to my teachers and coaches, who all taught me how to manage my time well,” said Dwyer. “Choate really helped me as a professional athlete, as I have to structure my time in the rink and know what I have to do in and out the ice. Coaches Maniscalco and Diffley were unbelievable in terms of motivating us and teaching us a strong work ethic. I owe a lot of my career to playing hockey three years at Choate.”
Dwyer made his debut in Wilkes-Barre, PA, when Bridgeport faced the Penguins in a 5-3 loss. It was his first AHL game since Oct. 15, 2005.
