First Team All-Met Blueliner Patrick Chapman Commits to GMU
Patrick Chapman, the highly skilled captain of St. John’s varsity hockey team, will be trading grey and scarlet for green and gold this fall when he joins George Mason University’s hockey team.
Chapman is now the fourth defenseman to commit to what is shaping up to be a dominant blue line next season in ACHA Division I.
“Patrick was one of our most sought after recruits this year,” Head Coach Steve Hyjek said. “We see him as a player who will have an immediate impact on the ice and who will fit in very well as part of our program for the next four years.”
Chapman comes to Mason after a prolific senior year. He led St. John’s College High School to victory in the National Capital Hockey Tournament – known as the “Purple Puck” – as well as the Mid-Atlantic Prep Hockey League (MAPHL) championship game, where the regular season champs lost a nail-biter in overtime to Landon School.
His performance garnered several awards. Chapman was named to the First team All-Conference (Washington Catholic Athletic Conference) and First team All-League (MAPHL). The Washington Post selected him for the 2020 Winter All-Met First team for hockey due to his ability to move the puck and the “strong defense and leadership” he provided for St. John’s. (Fun fact: His mom, Scotti O’Connell, was also selected as one of NBC Sports Washington’s Honda Hockey Moms! Watch the video featuring mother and son on Twitter here.)
Chapman also served as captain of Team Maryland U18-AAA.
“I am very excited to join the green and gold and look forward to helping us get a bid at Nationals in this new chapter of Mason hockey,” said Chapman.
