By Rhiannon McQuaide – Sports Editor
After a successful rookie season with the University of Southern Maine, Maryland-born, Dylan Hullaby is set to begin his professional career with the Oxford City Stars of the National Ice Hockey League (England’s second-highest ice hockey league) this fall.
As a freshman, the 6’5 winger competed in 23 games for the Huskies, recording 3 goals and 14 blocked shots. Hullaby credits his year-long stint with USM for helping prepare him for the transition to pro hockey, “the speed and skill of the game at the NCAA Division 3 level will help translate for me in England,” says Hullaby, noting how the Huskies’ schedule included numerous meetings with some of the best Division 3 teams in the country. “The high intensity teams that we played in my season at USM, some of them being the best in the country, helped prepare me for what is beyond college.”
Playing ice hockey in England has always been a dream for Hullaby, so when he was offered a position on the Stars by Head Coach Simon Anderson, his answer was an immediate yes. He also has family in England, which helped guide him to his decision to end his collegiate years early in order to begin his professional hockey career across the pond.
Hullaby will arrive in England in late August and will play his first game for the Stars on September 2. “I can’t wait to arrive and get to work right away. I want to help this team be at the top of the table and win a cup!” Hullaby said.