UConn Teammates Reunite in the Nutmeg State

Nov 14, 2024

By Brian Germinaro | Bridgeport Islanders

Bridgeport Islanders teammates Marc Gatcomb and Wyatt Newpower have a bond that goes far beyond Total Mortgage Arena. But at the same time, it’s a unique relationship rooted and nurtured well within the Nutmeg State.

“It’s absolutely a bond,” Newpower said. “It’s funny, Marc and I were close playing together for two years and our families even got close too. When I first signed with the Islanders, I heard he had also recently signed, so I called him right away. There was a lot of excitement.”

Both players signed with the Islanders’ organization this past summer, and both walked into a new environment during training camp, not knowing many faces. But they knew each other.

Gatcomb and Newpower played two seasons together just up the road in Storrs, Connecticut, home to the UConn Huskies. Newpower was a junior when Gatcomb entered the program as an 18-year-old freshman for the 2018-19 season.

A new friendship was born.

“It was good to have a familiar face at camp, especially not knowing anyone right away,” Gatcomb said. “I love playing with him, he was my captain at UConn and is still a really close friend.”

While they grew up in separate parts of the country, the state of Connecticut and the game of hockey provided common ground to build upon. Under long-time Huskies head coach Mike Cavanaugh, they quickly realized that both played a similar brand of physical, hard-nosed hockey, not shying away from contact, willing to block shots, and staples of the penalty kill.

“You’re always looking to add toughness, and we knew coming into the season that their games mirrored each other, said head coach Rick Kowalsky, despite Gatcomb playing forward and Newpower watching the blue line. “They’re great kids who do more for our team than just what you see on the ice. They both have exceptional leadership qualities and are active in the community.”

Despite Gatcomb moving down from his childhood home in Massachusetts and Newpower originally from Minnesota, both now call Connecticut home.

The pair ended up at UConn, but the paths to get there were much different. Gatcomb went to prep school in Connecticut and eventually visited the Huskies’ campus, knowing from the moment he first stepped foot there that his decision was made up.

“When I toured the school, it really felt like home,” Gatcomb said….