Nick Traggio ’20 is a junior at Brown University, where he plays defense for the men’s hockey team. From Sharon, Connecticut, he was a four-year Senior at Hotchkiss. During his time in Lakeville, Traggio helped lead Boys Varsity Hockey to a 19-5-2 season and a spot in the New England Tournament Quarter-Finals. He also played soccer his Prep year and lacrosse all four years.
Traggio is the son of Mike Traggio
’91 and Anna Traggio, both of whom graduated from Brown. Mike Traggio played hockey at Brown and was inducted into the Brown Hall of Fame in 2011. He is the former head coach of Boys Varsity Hockey and director of the Forrest E. Mars Athletic Center.
Anna Traggio played lacrosse at Brown. After serving for 19 years as head coach of Girls Varsity Lacrosse, she is now the assistant coach. Traggio has three siblings, Ellie Traggio ’22 who plays lacrosse at UNC, Tieler Traggio ’26, and Giaco Traggio.
Traggio started playing hockey when he was three years old. “My dad put me in skates when I was really young,” he said. “We have a pond out in our backyard that would freeze over, and my dad would get me out there to play pond hockey. My dad also put me in the learn-to-skate program at Salisbury Youth Hockey. I just fell in love with hockey at a young age.”
When he was seven, Traggio joined a competitive travel team with Salisbury Youth Hockey. He moved between teams for several years before going to Indian Mountain School. He started playing for IMS in fifth grade and played through ninth.
His father said, “ When Nick started playing, I immediately saw his potential. Having been around hockey for so long, I saw little flashes here and there. When he would move up a level and play with and against better kids, he would quickly fi t in. I saw the potential for him to play at a high level.”
After playing at Indian Mountain School, Traggio repeated his ninth grade year at Hotchkiss. “Playing at Hotchkiss was an awesome experience,” said Traggio. “Growing up, I always dreamed of playing on Schmidt, because I was a faculty kid. We also had a very special group, especially during my Senior year. I would not have it any other way.”
Reflecting on his Senior year, Traggio said, “We did well that year and made the Elite eight of the New England Tournament, which was great, because we had not done that before. Playing my last game for the team was a surreal experience. I felt as if the last four years came together perfectly. Sadly, we did lose. Still, it was a great sendoff, especially for my dad, who coached me through all those years.”
Traggio was coached by his dad for his entire hockey journey until he graduated from Hotchkiss. “Playing with my dad was a special experience,” said Traggio. “Not many people are coached by their dad for so long. He made me into the player I am today. He was my mentor and my role model throughout my whole journey.”
Commenting on their relationship, Coach Traggio said, “It was really fun to see his development and be part of it. I have coached him for so long, so there were certain things that would happen in games where I could look at him, and he knew exactly what had to be done. I go to most of his games at Brown.”
Traggio started talking to colleges late in his Lower Mid year. “At first, I was just trying to see what schools were interested in me to get a sense of where I would fit it. But Brown was always on my mind, because both my mom and dad went there.”
Traggio committed to Brown during the fall of his Senior year. “The entire process was grueling,” said Traggio. “Waiting for a phone call and constantly sending out emails was tough. However, when I finally got the call from Head Coach Brendan Whittet, it was awesome. He’s a great guy and coach. Now that I have been here for a few years, I have built a strong relationship with him. He was definitely one of the reasons why I decided to go to Brown.”
Before Brown, Traggio played for two years in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, an Alberta-based Junior A ice hockey league in the Canadian Junior Hockey League. Playing juniors before going to college is common for hockey players. “I played juniors in Bonneville, Alberta and there is not much going on out there,” said Traggio. “I had a great time staying with a host family for both years. They had three kids, which was awesome. It was great to interact with them. It gave me something to do when I was not working out or playing hockey. I think it definitely helped bring my game to the next level.”
Reflecting on his experience at Brown, Traggio said, “It has been awesome. I’m a Junior now, just starting the spring semester, and I have nothing but great things to say. Providence is a great city. It is awesome, especially for me, since I am used to living in a small town. The people here are awesome, especially the guys on the hockey team.”
Traggio is pursuing a major in business and managerial economics. Looking to the future, Traggio said, “I would love to play out my hockey career and possibly see where that goes in the future. But obviously, if that is closed off, I’m at an institution where I can set myself up for a future outside of hockey.”
Reflecting on his hockey career, he said “The journey has been a long one, but it’s been really great. I was lucky to have my dad there for most of it. This whole thing would not have been the same without him. I have only had three different coaches besides him in my whole life, which not many other people can say.”
