For this month's MASCAC Made, we changed things up a bit. Instead of a feature story, it is a Q&A session.

Before he etched his name in the NHL record books as a coach, Peter Laviolette competed as a student-athlete at Westfield State from 1982-1986. He currently ranks 14th in career scoring with 43 goals and 44 assists. He was inducted into the Westfield State Hall of Fame in 2002.

Following graduation, he played on several minor league hockey teams and 12 games in the NHL for the New York Rangers during the 1988–89 season. He also competed for the United States in the Olympics in 1988 and 1994. 

His coaching career began in 1997 with the ECHL Wheeling Nailers then he moved to the AHL Providence Bruins where he was named the AHL Coach of the Year. A stint as an assistant with the Boston Bruins then gave him the opportunity for his first head coaching job with the New York Islanders from 2001-2003. Taking over the Carolina Hurricanes head coaching job in 2003, he soon would lead the team to their first Stanley Cup in 2006. In 2009, he was hired by the Philadelphia Flyers and would lead them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010. After a few years there, he moved on to the Nashville Predators where he coaches today. Last season, Laviolette led them to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

When did you start playing hockey? What prompted it?

PL: I started playing hockey when I was four years old. My dad was involved with Franklin youth hockey and that is where I learned structured hockey. My dad owned a grocery store that had a pond behind it. As far back as I can remember, we were on the pond playing stick and puck with other kids from the town. Probably the most fun I ever had was playing hockey on the pond.

What drew you to Westfield State for college?

PL: Westfield State was a good state school and I wanted to get a good education and graduate with a degree in business. I didn’t know where I would be able to play hockey. Hockey really took off for me in college. I was going to go there for an education and to try and play hockey.

Talk about your time as a student-athlete at Westfield State.

PL: I really enjoyed it. I made a lot of good friends. I enjoyed my time. I was able to play four years of varsity hockey. You look back at it and if you are able to conquer your dreams of getting a diploma and playing sports for four years in college, that is a pretty good thing and memories you will have for a lifetime.

What are some of your favorite memories from your time at Westfield State and in the MASCAC?

PL: One of my favorite memories was as a freshman, my first game we went to Elmira College. My roommate was a freshman as well and Elmira was an established school. We went into their building and won 7-6. My roommate scored three goals and I had the game-winner. You think back on a memorable game or moment, that is the first one I had at Westfield State.

What did it mean to you being a Westfield State Hall of Fame inductee in 2002?

PL: Certainly, a lot of pride. I spent my time at Westfield as a student and athlete. You hope that when it is over, you have done some good things and you move on from there. To go back and be recognized for my time there as a student and a hockey athlete which is where things took off for me. I felt fortunate, privileged and honored to represent Westfield in the Hall of Fame.

Your son is a hockey student-athlete at Plymouth State. How does it make you feel having your son follow in your footsteps at a MASCAC school?

PL: It feels great. I went up and watched him play during our recent break. Plymouth is another great state school. He chose Plymouth partially because we have a house 10 minutes from there. Being from Nashville, it was important if I, my wife or my mom and dad wanted to go watch him play, we had a place to stay. It has been difficult being away from my kids, but the way they live-stream games now, you can watch the kids over the internet. I did have the chance to see him play live and I am proud of what he is done in school and athletics as well. It is a good spot for him and he is doing well.

What advice do you have for current MASCAC student-athletes?

PL: The MASCAC is an unbelievable division of hockey and athletics. You grow a lot there, leaving high school and being able to play whatever sport in college is a big step and accomplishment for every athlete. Enjoy the moment. It is a short period in your life. A chance to do something good in college and not everyone gets to say they did it.