Walpole Express forward Anthony Persi has committed to NCAA Division III Castleton University for the fall of 2022.

The 2001-born native of Livermore is in his second season with the Express, and through 83 career games in the EHL, has tallied 35 total points.

“I have really enjoyed working with Anthony for the past two years,” said Express head coach Josh Holmstrom. “His habits every single day set the bar for the rest of our team. He earned a call up to the NAHL earlier this season (with the Minot Minotauros) because he plays the game the right way. He plays in every scenario for us, and I am extremely excited for him to have earned this opportunity with Castleton.”

In Minot, Persi was reunited with former Express head coach and general manager Cody Campbell.

When you combine that experience with the time Persi has spent in the EHL, including a selection to the 1st Annual EHL All-Star Classic, Persi is beyond grateful that his hockey journey took him through Walpole, Mass.

“Playing in Walpole has helped in a number of ways,” said Persi. “Coach Holmstrom holds all of us to a standard every day that makes us better hockey players and better men overall. Walpole has taught me a number of life lessons that I don’t think you would get anywhere else. Lastly, my teammates around me have helped so much along the way to make me a better player and making it fun to see them every single day.”

Persi went on to talk about how Castleton set itself apart as the perfect fit for his next step.

“I really liked the atmosphere around campus,” added Persi. “It was important to find a team that had a good culture in the locker room along with a coaching staff that has the desire to win night in and night out. Equally important was to find a school with a solid academic background in my desired major.”

Back home, Persi skated for the Santa Clara Blackhawks and San Jose Jr. Sharks.

Photo/Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

(March 21, 2022)