March 18, 2023
Captain Seyfert, Coach Borek Share Special Bond That Gets to Continue Into NCAAs
by Mike McMahon/Staff Writer (@MikeMcMahonCHN)
Jordan Seyfert (photo: Matt Dewkett)
BOSTON When Scott Borek was hired as Merrimack’s head coach almost five years ago, he emblazoned two words everywhere.
Mission Merrimack.
The phrase was on shirts. It was on the program’s letterhead, and it was painted on the walls inside the locker room.
What was the mission? It was simple.
“We want to do something that changes the world for this program,” said forward Matt Copponi, who had the OT game winnner in Friday’s semifinal.
That’s it.
Saturday night at TD Garden in Boston, Merrimack came within reach of accomplishing the mission. But, the Warriors fell to Boston University, 2-1, in overtime of the Hockey East championship game. Luckily for Merrimack, it will get another crack at a “mission accomplished” next weekend in the NCAA Tournament. The Warriors still earned an NCAA berth thanks to St. Cloud’s win over Colorado College in the NCHC championship.
Jordan Seyfert has captained that mission from the start. He hasn’t always worn a letter on his shirt, but he has been the heart and soul of the Merrimack program since he arrived on campus the same season as Borek in 2018.
For Seyfert, like Merrimack, it hasn’t always been easy.
Early in the 2019-20 season, Seyfert suffered a broken ankle during practice, ending his season; he appeared in just 16 games. To make matters even worse, he broke his ankle on the first practice after he was promoted to Merrimack’s top line.
After he spent the summer rehabbing during COVID, he returned for the 2020-21 season. Remember that one? It was played in empty buildings without fans.
But just two practices into the season, he tore his labrum. That injury put him on the shelf for the entire 2020-21 season. He never appeared in a game.
No one outside the Merrimack locker room knew then, but his injuries were practically the last thing on his mind.
In November 2020, shortly after his labrum tear, Seyfert’s father, Jeffrey, was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure, and he needed a transplant.
“I’m young, and I haven’t met someone who has been through the adversity that he has been through,” Copponi said. “He’s been to hell and back and I’m so proud to be his teammate. He’s a great friend. He’s the leader. He pushes the bus. Our…
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