Malvern Prep goalie Matt Hollingshead is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
The senior, the first four-year varsity starting goalie in Malvern Prep ice hockey history, was named an all-star in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons, and has been named the Friars’ MVP the past two years. He is also the first goalie to be named captain in Malvern Prep ice hockey history. Malvern Prep ice hockey head coach Dave Dorman said, “Matthew has been a rock in the net since I came to the program three years ago. Some people will comment that he ‘stood on his head’ or was ‘unbelievable’ on a certain night. I explain that is Matt all the time and no highlight real save surprises me any more. It’s expected and I can promise you it was never taken for granted. Many players can have a standout game here or there but Matt has shown an uncanny ability to play at an elite level night in and night out. This young man gave us a chance to literally win every single time he manned the crease regardless of whether or not we may have been outmatched. His contributions to the Malvern Prep hockey program will live on for a very long time. He certainly has left a lasting impression and has one heck of a legacy between the pipes. He will be sorely missed.”
Q: Matt, what (in your opinion) has been the most memorable save you’ve made this season – can you describe how the play unfolded, and your role in it?
A: In the Flyers Cup quarterfinals against Cardinal O’Hara, they came out strong firing away in the first period. On one play, one of their players got behind our defense for a breakaway. They also had a player trailing the play waiting for a potential rebound. The player with the puck cut across the the middle of the slot and shot low far pad. This created a rebound which went right to the trailer’s stick, who had a wide open net. Instinctively, I pushed off the ice with my left leg and threw my blocker out to make a huge save that ended up changing the momentum of the game and led us to a 6-1 win.
Q: Your team had a great post-season, making it all the way to the Flyers Cup AAA semifinal, which you made 52 saves against defending Flyers Cup champion and top seed LaSalle. What was your most vivid memory of the post-season – could you share it with us?
A: It didn’t matter if it was the first shot or the 55th shot, I was always in the zone ready to do whatever it took to win. That’s why my most vivid memory was in the locker room after the LaSalle game. Although there was a great amount of sadness, I was happy to look back at not only this season, but my whole Malvern career. I love my teammates and am extremely proud of how far we came. It’s tough knowing I’ll never be on a team with them again especially since I’ve played hockey with some of them for seven years.
Q: Who have been your biggest ice hockey mentors, and what was the important thing each of them taught you?
A: My Mom and Dad are my biggest mentors. They have taught me something that no coach could ever teach. They taught me to be mentally tough and how to face adversity like a man. This is what sets me apart from other goalies – it’s impossible to get in my head.
Q: What aspect of your play are you currently working on the most at the present time?
A: This off season I will mostly be working on my conditioning, so that I show up in shape for Temple hockey and that I have a chance to fight for the starting job.
Q: You wear No. 33 for Malvern Prep. Is there a reason you chose that number – does it have any special meaning for you?
A: I always looked up to my brother growing up and he wore No. 33, I loved watching him play so when It was time for me to step on the ice No. 33 was a no-brainer. I’ve stuck with it ever since.
Q: Have you always been a goalie, or have you played other positions as well? What originally attracted you to the goalie position?
A: I began playing hockey as a forward and still do a little. I played three games out this year for Malvern and had two goals and four assists. I switched to goalie at a young age because my brother Ryan was a goalie back then. I loved goalie from the day I started, even though I was terrible at first. My Dad once asked me, “Why do you want to be a goalie?” and my response was “When all else fails, I want to be the one that saves the team.”
Q: Can you give us an example of how good communication between the goalie and the defense has helped Malvern Prep on the ice this season?
A: I have always been a very vocal goalie, helping my defense know where guys are when they can’t see them. Our breakout relies on communication between my defense and I. When they retrieve the puck I let them know if the have pressure or not and I’ll tell them where to move the puck. As our coach says, “Good teams talk, great teams communicate.”
Q: Are there any hockey players who you really admire, and why?
A: I really admire Jonathan Quick. The way he plays is so much fun to watch. He is so aggressive and never gives up on a play. He does whatever it takes to stop the puck. I really respect the way he battles, he has shown me that you are never out of a play.
Q: What first sparked your interest in ice hockey? What has been your most memorable moment as an ice hockey player outside of Malvern Prep – can you share it with us?
A: I grew up in a hockey family, so hockey has always been in my life. I have had a lot of ups and downs with my career but my most memorable moment has to be winning the DVHL playoffs.
Q: What is your favorite ice hockey venue and why?
A: Last year we played LaSalle at Wells Fargo Center. It was such an electric venue with over 1,000 people at the game. I have been to many games at that venue and to be playing for a crowd was terrific. LaSalle came out firing almost right away and I battled to keep my team in the game. That atmosphere was like nothing I’ve experienced before, and it helped that we won the game with 19 seconds left.
Q: Next winter, you will be playing ice hockey for Temple University. What attracted you to Temple – were there other schools in the running?
A: St. Joe’s was a tempting option for me. I also visited Boston College. I visited many schools in my college search process, but when I visited Temple I loved it. The city is so electrifying and there is always something to do. I also wanted a school with Division I sports atmosphere and great school spirit. The ultimate deciding factor was Fox School of Business, it is such a great business program and I’m excited to spend the next four years there.
Q: What extracurricular activities are you involved in at Malvern Prep other than ice hockey?
A: Malvern Prep offers many great opportunities outside of the classroom. Their service program is off the charts and has provide me with some of the best experiences of my life. One notable trip that I took was to Peru. Peru offered me so much insight to what most people in the world live like. These people had nothing, yet they were the happiest and most friendly people I have ever met. It experiences like these that set Malvern apart from any other school in the area.
Fun facts – Matt Hollingshead
Favorite book: Eat that Frog!
Favorite author: Brian Tracy.
Favorite TV show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Favorite movie: Miracle.
Favorite athlete: Leo Messi.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Bounce it.
Favorite team: Flyers.
Favorite pre-game meal: Chicken parm.
Person I most admire: “I admire my brother Ryan so much. He has come through so much adversity in his life and has worked extremely hard to overcome it. Ryan has dyslexia and his whole life he has struggled with it. He works 10 times as hard as other people just to get a B in school. Ryan is always in the library working hard determined to succeed. He is a true role model and I love him very much.”
Favorite color: Orange.
Family members: parents Stewart and Janet, brother Ryan.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
