“Every game was hard but I think I remember the Finland game the most,” recalled Fensore. “We were tied 2-2 and then, we scored with about two minutes left to win the game. It was such a fun game to play in.”

He credits some simple things for the team’s success in international competition.

“We are strong physically and have good goaltending, defense and forwards. We are all playing for the same prize and we want to have success. Every guy is buying into the system and we want to beat the other countries,” said Fensore.

Fensore has enjoyed working with his new associate head coach Dan Hinote this season. Hinote has brought in a wealth of experience including winning a Stanley Cup championship with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001.

“He came right in and it felt as if he had always been there,” said Fensore, a 5-foot-7, 153-pound blueliner. “He really works with the defensemen to tell us the things to do and what we need to do to get better. He is a great guy.

“He spends time working with the defensemen, especially at the end of practice. We actually break off and work on battle drills. He has worked with us on our shot from the point and how to keep the puck low.”

He credits the NTDP for helping in the development of his game. He has already put on 10 pounds since his Under-17 season in part due to the program’s spring training.

“I realize now that the training we did in the spring really gave us a head start,” explained Fensore. “It was huge for us as a team. It really helped us get bigger and stronger so we would be prepared for this season. We are bigger, faster and stronger and that is key for this team.”

This is very important when it comes to playing college competition. Unfortunately, due to injury, Fensore was unable to make the trip out East when the U18s played Boston University, his future college program.

He already has a sneak peek of what to expect in college games prior to his first year in Boston.

“Playing the college games really shows us what we can expect for next year,” stated Fensore. “We are playing against bigger and older guys which can only help us the rest of the season. It really shows us how we match up against players when we play in our own age group.”

Once he set foot on BU’s campus, he knew that he had found the right fit.

“It was a bummer I didn’t get to make the [NTDP] trip since I love the campus,” he said. “When it came time to make my choice, I really like the coaching staff and the campus is unbelievable. To be able to be in the city of Boston and go to school, it will be a great experience.”

It also will help that he will attend BU with three of his current teammates — Case McCarthy, Alex Vlasic and Trevor Zegras — which should help him with the transition to college.

It is a privilege and an honor to wear the red, white and blue. It has been a dream come true to represent the country.

“It will be cool to be there and have the guys that I have played with the last two years with me. I think it will be helpful in the transition especially since I already know some of the guys,” said Fensore.

The U18 season can be a grind and Fensore understands the importance of the little things that must be done in order to have success. It will be key, especially down the stretch for him and his teammates as they will play both college and United States Hockey League opponents.

“We know that we have to take care of our bodies,” he stated. “We have to eat right, get our rest and keep hydrated. These are all very important for us.

“In USHL play, we know that we have to keep our foot on the gas. We can’t take any breaks — we need to play every game as if it will be our last one.”

This is part of what makes playing for his country so special. He takes to heart some advice from head coach John Wroblewski.

“Coach Wrobo tells us to stick to the plan and I think we are really buying in,” said Fensore. “We can’t take a moment for granted. It is what we need to continue to do each day.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.