A native of Glendale, Wyatt Wong made a couple of junior stops before settling in on the opposite coast and enjoying a fine couple seasons on the blue line for the USPHL’s Premier Rockets Hockey Club.

It is a big move to play hockey, but Wong – who played three seasons of AAA with the Anaheim Jr. Ducks program – became a big fan of the East Coast. He will be staying there for another four years now, having committed to attend Neumann University, an NCAA Division III institution in Aston, Pa.

“Playing for Anaheim, we had to travel out to the east coach two to three times a month to play in the Tier 1 Elite League,” said Wong. “So I was fairly familiar with the culture already, but being out there for upwards of six months was definitely different from living in California.”

Wong tested the waters of a couple Canadian junior leagues in 2018-19 before joining the Rockets.

“My first year for the Rockets, I was expected to be the offensive defenseman. Unfortunately, that season I dealt with my fair share of injuries but still was able to get my share of points (21 in 38 games),” said Wong. “Going into my second season, my coach Jason Kilcoyne decided to make me an assistant captain. So, now, I was expected to not only be that offensive defenseman, but a leader, too.”

Wong clearly relished the role, scoring nine goals and adding 13 assists for 22 points and garnering time on the blue line on special teams.

When considering his college path, Wong said he weighed his options and liked the academic and hockey mix at Neumann.

“For me, the reason I went to Neumann was, academically, they had what I needed and hockey-wise, I think they are going to have a good program. The head coach there, Kyle Mountain, is bringing together a good group of guys,” said Wong. “Lastly, I like the area. It’s right outside Philadelphia, which I’m excited about, to go explore around Philly a little bit.

“There were a couple of other schools I was looking at, but ultimately, I thought Neumann was the right place for me.”

Wong plans to major in Athletic Training at Neumann.

“I hoped to get into their physical therapy program there, which is also a pretty big reason why I decided to go there,” he said.

The Rockets seemed to be the team to beat in the Mid-Atlantic Division all season long but ran into a surging New York Aviators team in the postseason and were left out of the USPHL National Championship tournament.

That was painful for sure for Wong, but now he is a college player.

“Yeah, it was disappointing this season didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, but we had a good group of guys, the best coaching, which is really all you can ask for, and I am grateful for all of that,” said Wong. “Now, I am excited to move on and go to Neumann.”

— Jim Den Hollander/USPHL.com

(April 16, 2021)