When Cornell defeated Dartmouth, 3-0, on March 18 in the ECAC Hockey semifinal, the victory marked the 100th career game in red and white for then-junior center Sean Collins. Now an assistant captain in his senior season, Collins takes over for Joe Devin ’11 as the leader of the Red’s forward unit.  

“Confidence has been the biggest thing I’ve tried to work on over the summer,” Collins said. “I’m a lot more confident player, I feel more strongly about my skills and I’m really looking forward to having a breakout year.”

A breakout year would only further any parallels with Devin, who exploded with 17 goals — including six game-winners — in his senior campaign after scoring nine in 2009-10. Collins registered seven goals and eight assists as a junior, and currently places sixth among Cornell forwards with three points through the team’s five games. 

The Red’s assistant captain came flying out of the gates, scoring the squad’s first goal of the season on opening night at Lynah Rink against Mercyhurst, and following up that performance with two assists on Nov. 4 at Yale.

For Collins, who during the preseason considered beating Yale a top priority, the Red’s 6-2 win over the Bulldogs was especially gratifying. 

“It feels unbelievable,” Collins said following his first win against Yale in a Cornell uniform. “We circled this day in our calendars since the last meeting in the championship. We’ve been waiting as a class for three years to beat Yale, and it feels so great especially to beat them in their own rink.”

Head coach Mike Schafer ’86 placed his trust in Collins, pairing the center with freshmen forwards Joel Lowry and John McCarron. The duo has registered four points apiece under the senior’s guidance on the Red’s top forward line.

“[The freshmen] have been a huge part of our team so far this year,” Collins said. “Brian Ferlin has been great for us, Joel Lowry and John McCarron have played really well … so we’ve had contributions up and down the lineup — especially from freshmen.” 

In order for Collins to tie the program record of 138 career games played, held by Jeremy Downs ’05, the Red will need to advance deep into the NCAA tournament.