Brunswick’s Cooper Moore stops to set up in the Hotchkiss zone during a game on Jan. 8 at Hartong Rink.
Moore, a senior, and McGroarty, who is in his sophomore year at Brunswick, recently committed to play hockey for Division I schools. A defenseman, Moore announced his commitment to play hockey at the University of North Dakota. McGroarty, a sophomore, committed to compete for Quinnipiac University’s Division I program.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Moore will joined a North Dakota program that’s regarded as one of the best in the nation. Coached by Brad Berry, North Dakota has won eight NCAA Division I championships, with its most recent title coming in 2016. North Dakota has made 32 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Frozen Four 22 times.
The Fighting Hawks have also won 15 WCHA regular-season titles and 11 WCHA Tournament championships, to go along with two NCHC regular-season titles.
Also a member of Brunswick’s successful lacrosse team, Moore, 18, registered three productive seasons on the ice for the Bruins, the last of which saw him record 13 goals and 18 assists this past winter.
Besides providing stellar play in the defensive zone, Moore, who also plays for the Mid Fairfield program in the state, showed his offensive prowess for Brunswick.
One of Moore’s signature performances occurred when Brunswick skated to a 6-6 tie against New Hampton at the Exeter Invitational at Phillips Exeter Academy.
The Bruins faced a 6-2 deficit after two periods, but Moore brought the squad back, scoring three of his career-high five goals in the third period. His defensive presence throughout the Bruins’ 2018-2019 season was key for the team.
Moore, one of the Bruins’ captains this past season, was selected to the All-NEPSAC West Hockey Team.
McGroarty, 16, who made a verbal commitment to Quinnipiac, emerged as a significant source offensively for the Bruins this past winter, tallying six goals and eight assists.
Since becoming a Division I program in 1998, Quinnipiac has qualified for the NCAA Tournament on six occasions, while reaching the Frozen Four twice. Quinnipiac has won six regular-season conference titles and two conference tournament championships.
Versatility and consistency are among McGroarty’s strengths.
In November, Ryan Carmichael, a 2018 Brunswick graduate committed to play hockey at Notre Dame. Ryan St. Louis, who concluded his sophomore year on the Bruins’ squad this past winter and Paul Davey, also a sophomore also announced their commitment to Division I hockey programs.
St. Louis committed to Northeastern, while Davey is headed to Boston College.