Like Father, Like Son: Rand Pecknold Reflects On His Father, Wayne
10/27/2017 9:18:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
by Victoria Rutigliano '18, special to QuinnipiacBobcats.com
In 2016, Quinnipiac men's ice hockey head coach Rand Pecknold was inducted into the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey Hall of Fame. On Sunday, Oct. 22, his late father Wayne Pecknold was also inducted. Pecknold discussed the connection to his father and the game both of them loved.
Pecknold credits his love of hockey to growing up, watching, and being the stick boy for his dad's hockey team in Concord, New Hampshire.
"My father instilled my passion in hockey at a young age," Pecknold said. "I remember growing up as a 5, 6, 7, 8 year old and being the stick boy, and the packed arenas, and that's when I was really like 'I want be a hockey player' and eventually evolved into being a hockey coach."
Wayne Pecknold signed a pro contract worth $500 with the New York Rangers when he was just 14 years old, and gave up his professional hockey dreams to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his master's degree. He coached youth hockey in Manchester, New Hampshire, where his players included his son, Rand.
He was a member of the Concord Eastern Olympics from 1967-1974. In that time, he scored 238 points on 57 goals and 181 assists, and was the only defenseman on his team that finished in the top-10 in scoring.
A native of Bedford New Hampshire, Pecknold followed in his father's footsteps in his coaching career. After playing college hockey at Connecticut College, he went on to become an assistant coach at his alma mater before landing the head job at Quinnipiac 23 seasons ago.
Wayne Pecknold passed away in 2000 after a battle with cancer, making this award even more special for Pecknold's family.
"It was a great thrill and honor last year to go in to the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey and then this year to have my father go in was really special to our family," Pecknold said. "My dad passed away about 17 years ago and you know, he was my hero and idol growing up so it was a great moment for me and for our family."
***
Victoria Rutigliano is a senior journalism major at Quinnipiac with a focus in sports reporting. You can follow her on twitter @vic_rutigliano.
In 2016, Quinnipiac men's ice hockey head coach Rand Pecknold was inducted into the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey Hall of Fame. On Sunday, Oct. 22, his late father Wayne Pecknold was also inducted. Pecknold discussed the connection to his father and the game both of them loved.
Pecknold credits his love of hockey to growing up, watching, and being the stick boy for his dad's hockey team in Concord, New Hampshire.
"My father instilled my passion in hockey at a young age," Pecknold said. "I remember growing up as a 5, 6, 7, 8 year old and being the stick boy, and the packed arenas, and that's when I was really like 'I want be a hockey player' and eventually evolved into being a hockey coach."
Wayne Pecknold signed a pro contract worth $500 with the New York Rangers when he was just 14 years old, and gave up his professional hockey dreams to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his master's degree. He coached youth hockey in Manchester, New Hampshire, where his players included his son, Rand.
He was a member of the Concord Eastern Olympics from 1967-1974. In that time, he scored 238 points on 57 goals and 181 assists, and was the only defenseman on his team that finished in the top-10 in scoring.
A native of Bedford New Hampshire, Pecknold followed in his father's footsteps in his coaching career. After playing college hockey at Connecticut College, he went on to become an assistant coach at his alma mater before landing the head job at Quinnipiac 23 seasons ago.
Wayne Pecknold passed away in 2000 after a battle with cancer, making this award even more special for Pecknold's family.
"It was a great thrill and honor last year to go in to the New Hampshire Legends of Hockey and then this year to have my father go in was really special to our family," Pecknold said. "My dad passed away about 17 years ago and you know, he was my hero and idol growing up so it was a great moment for me and for our family."
***
Victoria Rutigliano is a senior journalism major at Quinnipiac with a focus in sports reporting. You can follow her on twitter @vic_rutigliano.
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