The Lynn Journal spoke with Deerfield Academy girls hockey coach Brooke Fernandez about team captain Keri Clougherty’s career at Deerfield and her future plans to attend Boston College. Following are coach Fernandez’s observations:
As a former prep school [Loomis Chaffee] and college hockey standout yourself at St. Lawrence University, what talents and leadership qualities do you see in Keri Clougherty as she prepares to enter Boston College and play Division 1 hockey?
I think the most important quality of any successful player, especially a Division 1 player, is grit, and that’s a quality Keri has in abundance. She works hard for everything, in every drill and every moment, and takes nothing for granted, which will serve her well at this level and the next. She leads through example and pushes her teammates to be better through her love of the game and desire to put forth her best effort.
What are Keri’s strengths as a defenseman?
Keri is a steady player who contributes on both ends of the ice. She’s one of our best defensive D, in regards to her positioning, gap control, and IQ, but can also be an offensive threat, and has scored many goals from the blue line for us.
Were you looking forward to coaching Keri and the 2020-21 Deerfield Academy team and making a run at the New England Prep School championship?
Obviously, I am very disappointed that the pandemic has affected our season, as this year we put together all of the pieces we needed to have a successful season, which Keri would have been a huge part of. However, the goal for this season is to make the most of every opportunity we’re given and take the forward strides we need to in terms of development of individual skills and team goals. I know Keri will dive headlong into this opportunity to grow and will push her teammates to as well.