The Garrett Kennedy File
Position: Defenseman
Size: 5-foot-9, 192 pounds
Birthday: July 22, 1989
Hometown: Brighton, Mich.
Parents: Brent and Mary Kennedy
Juniors: Collected two assists in one season (2007-08) with the Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League, and four goals and five assists in one season (2008-09) with the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League.
He was the weekly scratch, the non-scholarship freshman that never played.
Those memories are enough to let Garrett Kennedy know that he has come a long way within Miami University’s hockey program.
“It was tough mentally, but it was something I knew in the end was going to work,” said Kennedy, now a senior defenseman for the third-ranked RedHawks. “Looking back, as much as I’ve improved over time and as hard as I’ve worked to get where I am today, it’s been something pretty special.”
The 23-year-old is among the team leaders in an inglorious category — blocked shots. Kennedy has 57 this season, ranking third behind Matthew Caito (63) and Steven Spinell (61).
“You never question Garrett’s workout habits or his passion for the game,” MU coach Enrico Blasi said. “He’s one of those guys that you hate to play against because every day he’s banging and crashing. He brings that kind of effort.”
Blocking shots is something that grinders like the 5-foot-9, 192-pound Kennedy typically excel at. He embraces dirty work.
“You need players that are willing to put their bodies in the line of fire,” Kennedy said. “If it’s going to hurt, it’s only going to hurt for a few seconds, and then it’s going to go away. It’s something that doesn’t really faze me.
“Even when I was growing up, it was just a habit that I got into. Sometimes my dad got all over me. He always taught me that those are the things you’ve got to do to win championships.”
He’s managed two goals and six assists in his collegiate career. He’s scored so infrequently that asking him to recall the goals brings a quick response.
“Both were at home,” Kennedy said. “It was pretty amazing to do it in front of our home fans.”
Goal No. 1 came on Dec. 4, 2010. On a night when Alden Hirschfeld would tally a hat trick, Kennedy scored the first goal in a 5-2 win over Notre Dame. Assists went to Spinell and Bryon Paulazzo.
“If I recall correctly, it was just like a pass up off the wall, and I was just going to the front of the net and getting my stick on it,” Kennedy said. “At first, I didn’t think I was the one that scored. There was another player behind me, I think it was Bryon Paulazzo, and I thought he scored. I didn’t really know it was me until they announced it.”
Goal No. 2 came on Nov. 18, 2011, in a 4-0 victory over Bowling Green. Hirschfeld and Curtis McKenzie provided the assists.
“I jumped up on the rush,” Kennedy said. “It was like a pass to the slot area — I think it was Curtis. It actually hit the side of my skate and right on my tape. I just basically shot it on net, and I think it went five hole.”
He noted that he was a defenseman for that second goal. His previous score came as a forward.
Kennedy has played very little offense in his hockey career and hasn’t really had a desire to be a forward. But as a sophomore, he moved up front for a bit to get some playing time.
“I knew that we had a talented D-corps that year and I was going to be like the seventh, eighth man,” Kennedy said. “If I wanted to have ice time that year, it was going to be up front as a fourth-line player, just creating energy for the team. I was willing to do that because you only get four years to play in college hockey, and I didn’t want to have another year where I wasn’t playing.”
Kennedy wasn’t surprised that he didn’t get to play as a freshman. The RedHawks were coming off a national runner-up finish and had quite a bit of talent on the roster with returning players and the incoming freshmen.
The only action Kennedy saw that year was in the 6-2 exhibition win over Windsor. But he was happy to be in Oxford, happy to be part of a top-level program.
The Brighton, Mich., native was not a hot commodity coming out of high school. He went to an open tryout and eventually played for the Bismarck Bobcats in the North American Hockey League. He went to another open tryout that led to a spot with the Indiana Ice in the United States Hockey League.
Former Miami coach Jeff Blashill coached the Ice. Thus the connection with the RedHawks.
“He was talking to me throughout the year and saying, ‘Oh, Miami’s kind of interested.’ In February, they asked if I would come to Miami as technically a walk-on player,” Kennedy said. “Miami was one of the top schools I wanted to play for. Given the opportunity, I couldn’t turn it down.”
He’s played 67 games in a Miami uniform, 16 as a sophomore, 22 as a junior and 29 this year. He didn’t play in seven games earlier this year and was scratched as late as the Dec. 29 contest against Robert Morris.
“I think he’s playing more within his skill set and letting things come to him now as opposed to trying to make things happen,” Blasi said. “Sometimes players get in trouble when that’s the case.”
Kennedy’s take: “I can say honestly that there were some games at the beginning of the year where I wasn’t playing to my full potential, and the coaches let me know about it. Some of it was sending a message to me that I needed to pick it up.”
Clearly he has, and being a mainstay in the lineup has solidified his confidence. He played in his final regular-season game at Steve Cady Arena last Saturday, the night Miami clinched the last Central Collegiate Hockey Association title by topping Ohio State 4-2.
Kennedy and his fellow seniors were honored in a pregame ceremony, raising their sticks to the crowd as they skated around the rink.
“I’m not going to lie. I might have had one little tear in my eye,” Kennedy said. “Words couldn’t really describe it because the fans at Miami have provided one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in. It’s been a special four years.”
He’s majoring in business management and organizations while minoring in entrepreneurship. He’s taking a heavy class load this semester so he can graduate in May.
Kennedy would love to continue playing hockey after he leaves Miami. He knows it might not happen.
“I wanted to get a good degree in business and make the most out of my hockey opportunity here at Miami, and I’m doing that,” Kennedy said. “I could’ve hung it up after high school. I’ve basically fought my way through to get where I am today. If this is it, then it’s been a great run. Coming here is one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
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