Harry Frangiskakis hoped he’d get the chance to play junior hockey after wrapping up his time with Cherry Creek High School.

Putting in the hard work has paid off as the Greenwood Village native recently signed an NCDC tender agreement with the Boston Jr. Rangers.

“I found the opportunity to get tendered by my dedication this season and hard work, but also by my coach Jeff Mielnicki, who gave me this opportunity and really pushed me,” Frangiskakis said. “I have heard a lot of great things about the NCDC and how it can take hockey players to the next level at college. It also is a very grinding, hard-working league that I think suits my playing style.

“I am most forward to playing juniors next year because it’s the next step in my hockey career and it’s going to really challenge me to become a better hockey player, on and off the ice. I think the challenges that come with it, like playing against older guys, will push me to be the best I can be. I’m going to be working very hard every single day on and off the ice, getting stronger and faster so it won’t be such a big shock to me playing at that next level, just becoming a lot stronger will help so that I can play that physical role I do now.”

Growing up, Frangiskakis started playing hockey when he was three years old. Frangiskakis and his mom are the only ones from his family born in America. The rest of his family was born in Greece.

“My dad is from Chicago and he loved the Chicago Blackhawks,” explained Frangiskakis. “They are also my favorite team and just growing up watching them really helped me choose to be a hockey player and make this a life-long goal.”

Once he got on skates, Frangiskakis started with the Littleton Hawks, playing there until he was eight years old. He then moved to the Colorado Thunderbirds for four years and after his 14U season, joined the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders before suiting up for Cherry Creek.

“My coach from Littleton was Kyle Hull and he helped me learn what hockey was and how to play the game,” Frangiskakis said. “He helped me through everything when I was little. My coach for the Thunderbirds was Sergei Bautin and he pushed me every single day to become a better hockey player and helped me become the hockey player I am today. Moving to the RoughRiders was one of the best decisions I made. Having coach Paul DePuydt as my coach was such a good time. He taught me how to be a leader and he taught my teammates and I what it was like to be a part of a team. I also had coach Steve Quailer my 16s year with the RoughRiders and he also was a great coach that made me a better hockey player.

“I think the best decision I made was coming to play for Cherry Creek. Having Coach Mel as my coach really made me love the game and want to keep playing hockey. He was there for me through the hard, sad, and also good times, and always stuck by my side and pushed me to be the best person I could be on and off the ice.”

Frangiskakis also credited another individual that has been with him the better part of the last 10 years.

“I’ve had the same off-ice trainer since I was seven years old,” he said. “Her name is Nikki and she owns Nik’s Performance and she has been the biggest part of my entire journey.”

Talking more about Cherry Creek, Frangiskakis said “this past season was definitely the most fun I’ve had through my hockey career.”

“Being able to play for my school and play in front of my friends was one of the best parts,” Frangiskakis said. “I was able to go to school and be with my friends, which was something I couldn’t do playing AAA. Coach Mel and the coaching staff showed us what it was like to have fun at times and also be very serious, too. This season was a lot of fun and I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

Going forward, Frangiskakis’ goals are succinct.

“My short-term goals are to play juniors and also play at the college level,” he said. “Then I would want to play at a professional level one day.”

Photo provided by Harry Frangiskakis

— Matt Mackinder

(April 15, 2025)