From high school hockey to junior hockey to college hockey – that’s been the last few seasons for Nick Fall.

Fall, a native of Greenwood Village, is starting his college career this season with Assumption University, an NCAA Division II program with its campus in Worcester, Mass.

From 2021-23, Fall spent a pair of seasons with the EHL’s Connecticut RoughRiders program

“Nick’s development as a playmaker marks his most significant growth (last) season,” said RoughRiders head coach and general manager Eric Lind. “He’s always proficient in small-area distribution, especially crafty from below the hash marks, on the half-wall and behind the net. He can force his way to the middle and drives the net at every opportunity. Nick understands timing and searching for open ice and will be a valuable asset at the college level.”

“Assumption first watched me my first season in the EHL and reached out before my second season started,” added Fall. “We talked throughout the year about the potential of me playing for the school and I eventually did an overnight visit with the school in February. Once my season was over, I decided Assumption was the best fit for my academic and hockey goals.”

As a freshman, Fall is excited to see what the school offers, both on and off the ice.

“The school’s academics were ranked the highest among the schools I was thinking about attending and had the major I intend on studying (Psychology),” Fall said. “On the other hand, Coach (Michael) Looney and the hockey team has established a winning culture and has recently won the NE-10 conference in 2022 and 2017, something I want to be a part of in the future.

“Schooling became more and more important to me as I got older and understood the importance of getting a good education. During junior hockey and the college recruiting process, I was always checking out the academics of the schools first and make sure the education I would be getting was top notch.”

Back in Colorado, Fall said he started playing hockey when he was just three years old with the Littleton Hawks’ Mite program.

“I grew up going to a lot of University of Denver and Colorado Avalanche games and fell in love with the game very fast,” said Fall. “My hometown is Greenwood Village, which is very close to the University of Denver, which is where I watched my first hockey game.”

Once he developed the passion for hockey, it was full-speed ahead for Fall.

“I played for a bunch of different programs during youth hockey, but the ones that stand out the most would be the Colorado Evolution and Cherry Creek High School,” Fall said. “With the Evolution, I made the jump to AAA hockey and had some great coaches, including Sergei Bautin and Jeremiah Buckley. Those two coaches helped evolve my game from a Minor Midget player to a solid AAA player. With Cherry Creek, Jeff Mielnicki gave me an opportunity at a young age to play with and against older competition. I also loved playing for my school and representing the Bruins on the ice.”

Once he landed with the RoughRiders, Fall’s game took off in junior hockey to the point where he was ready for the college game.

“From my time playing in the EHL, I will never forget my teammates and coaches throughout my two seasons with the RoughRiders,” said Fall. “I am forever thankful for all my teammates who pushed me to be the best player I could be and for the friendships I created along the way. I am also extremely thankful for Coach Eric Lind and Coach Steven Brown. The duo brought my game to the point it is today and I am beyond thankful for my time with the RoughRiders.”

Now on the verge of kicking off the 2023-24 season, Fall has immediate goals in mind.

“My short-term goals focus a lot around winning conference championships in the NE-10 and continuing to help add to Assumption’s winning history,” Fall said. “For the long term, I hope to establish myself as a leader on my team and around the school and push myself to be the best I can be, academically and on the ice.”

Photo/Cara Mooney

— Matt Mackinder

(October 25, 2023)