Carey grad Bucci attends Isles camp

Scores a goal in annual Blue & White scrimmage game

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While his heart might be with the New York Rangers, Franklin Square’s Tommaso Bucci is making a splash wearing the colors of the rival New York Islanders.

After starring for the PAL Jr. Islanders this past season, totaling 29 points in 46 games, Bucci last week participated in Islanders mini-camp, featuring the organization’s first-round picks in recent years and highlighted by the annual Blue & White scrimmage game.

“Hockey is my passion and my love,” said Bucci, a 2013 graduate of Carey High School. “Getting invited to Islanders camp was absolutely awesome. I caught myself smiling a few times. It was everything I expected and more.”

Bucci, a 6-foot, 178-pound forward committed to play collegiately at Mercyhurst (Lake Erie, PA), had his own rooting section at Nassau Coliseum for the scrimmage game in front of 4,500 fans on July 10. With his parents, Marie and Luciano, leading the cheers, Bucci scored the opening goal for Team Blue in its victory.

“I tried to stay as relaxed as I could leading up to the game,” Bucci said. “I had a lot of family and friends in the stands. To score a goal was a thrill. I don’t know how to describe it. It almost felt like it wasn’t real.” 

Bucci, who considers himself a playmaker with the ability to finish around the net, skated on a line with Chris Makowski and Yuri Terao. “Every day was a high-tempo pace,” Bucci said. “Everyone is so talented.”

Bucci said both of his parents grew up playing hockey and had him skating before his 2nd birthday. He played for Syosset and Sewanhaka in the High School Hockey League of Nassau County, and most recently with the Metro Moose, Corpus Christi IceRays, and Jr. Islanders. He also played two years of lacrosse at Carey for coach Tom Aiello.

“Tommy’s such a good kid and a really special athlete,” Aiello said. “He’s a very talented lacrosse player, and even a better hockey player.”

Bucci is planning to spend another season with the Jr. Islanders, beginning in September, before enrolling at Mercyhurst. He expectes to be on campus in August of next year. “I’m fully set on going to college,” he said. “Mercyhurst has a nice campus and a strong hockey program. They move guys to the next level.”