Cody Ferriero of Essex is happy following the footsteps of his brother Benn — a Boston College captain who is one of college hockey's premier players.
First it was at Shore Country Day School in Beverly, which has an informal hockey program. From there it was on to Governor's Academy in Byfield for high school, where the hockey gets serious in the Independent School League.
In the fall of 2010, it'll be on to Boston College for Cody, who has made a verbal commitment to accept a scholarship from the defending national champs. He's currently 16 years old and a junior at Governor's, where he plays both wing and center.
His brother Benn played a major role in getting that national title to The Heights last year, and he hopes to keep it there this season as a senior captain. The Eagles will raise their championship banner Friday night in Chestnut Hill when they open the 2008-09 season against Wisconsin.
"I'm excited about BC, about following Benn," the 5-foot-11, 185 pound Cody said. "He felt it was the right fit for me. I still have to prove myself. I'm sure BC will be watching (me) and I want to be prepared. Hopefully, I'll be ready to step in and be a part of their success in two years.
"It's where I wanted to go. I didn't look around too much. My heart was pretty much set on BC."
Jerry York, the Eagles' veteran coach, can't comment on a recruit until he signs a national letter of intent in his senior high school season. But it has been speculated that Cody Ferriero was a high priority on BC's list of prospects.
Cody, a summertime clamdigger like Benn and their younger brother, Nathan, said he has missed very few of Benn's games the past three seasons.
He was a member of the 2008 Select 17 U.S. squad which worked at the Player Development Camp in St. Cloud, Minn,.
Benn (a Phoenix Coyotes NHL draft choice), Cody and Nathan are all products of the Topgun hockey program, which their father, Peter (a Salem State alum) founded in 1997.
Cody, who had 10 goals and 22 points in 27 games for GA last winter, has been an all-ISL baseball (pitcher, shortstop) and hockey selection. He gave up football at Governor's after two years.
"I look up to my brother Benn. We've gotten closer the last few years. I've done summer workouts with him (in our home) and we've skated together whenever we can find ice in Salem (N.H.)," said Cody.
When asked if landing a scholarship situation was the ultimate thrill, Cody said it does relieves the pressure of having to make a college decision his senior year. But he still has to play top flight hockey, he pointed out.
"I'd say the ultimate is playing in the NHL. But I'm a realist; this is the next step," he said.
How does his game compare to Benn's?
"I try to do a little of everything similar to Benn, with a little bit more physical (play)," Cody acknowledged. "Speed is part of my game. I've gotten faster the last few years."
Cody credited GA coach Peter Kravchuk for his progress. "Since I went to Shore, I had a lot of learning to do when I went to Governor's, and Mr. Kravchuk has done a lot for me in understanding the game," he said.
Someday Nathan, currently an eighth-grade student at Shore and also a hockey player, may wear the Eagles' colors, too.
"I'm sure Nathan is thinking about it, but that's a long way off," Cody said.
