Carceo's unselfish play led hockey team

As an athlete and leader, senior co-captain Mike Carceo has left an indelible mark on the Tufts hockey program during a crucial growth period. Saturday night's loss in the NESCAC playoffs marked the senior's last game in brown in blue, and closed one of the most successful careers a Jumbo has ever had on the ice.

The forward assisted on Tufts' only goal against the undefeated Middlebury Panthers, in what was perhaps an appropriate finale to his time with the Jumbos. Carceo has notched 87 assists in 93 career games, the fourth highest total in school history. He has also scored 55 goals, amassing a total of 142 points, placing him sixth on Tufts' all-time scoring list.

"I love setting up people more than I like scoring," Carceo said. "I just love passing the puck to someone and having them bury it in the net. I don't think there's any better feeling than that."

Coach Brian Murphy believes Carceo's unselfish play provides an irreplaceable dimension to the team.

"He scores but can also move the puck around," Murphy said. "He's somebody who's a terrific athlete and brings a lot of different things to the table. Mike skates well, he shoots the puck well, he sees the ice well, and he's got the intensity that you need."

Murphy continued, "He came in as a highly-touted recruit, and he's delivered on what we expected. He's been an offensive threat since his first day here, and he's also really improved his defense and his physical game. He's gotten stronger and that's really how he's taken his game to the next level."

Last year, Tufts' hockey team moved up to the NESCAC league, which is considered the premiere Division III conference in the country. As expected, the transition season was difficult, and the Jumbos finished with a losing record of 6-17. But junior co-captain, Carceo's leadership and consistent work ethic were keys in maintaining team morale throughout the difficult season.

"He kept us together last year during some of the most discouraging games I have ever played in," junior forward Timm Schatz said. "When we all see Mike fighting for every chance, it picks the whole team up."

Murphy called Carceo "instrumental in keeping a young, struggling team together last year."

"Mike kept the guys going and kept them being positive and focusing towards getting better," Murphy said. "I think that the job he did last year was really the most important thing he's done since he's been in the hockey program here at Tufts."

This winter, the Jumbos' improvements on the ice and on the scoreboard were notable, resulting in a 7-11-4 record and Tufts' inaugural appearance in the NESCAC playoffs. The squad was mostly composed of underclassmen.

"I think the young players this year looked to Mike and to Chris [Martin], the captains, and followed their lead," Murphy said.

According to Schatz, the consistent example set by Carceo is something that will be missed by the team.

"He's the guy we have all looked to for a long time," Schatz said. "It's hard to replace someone like that."

Carceo has turned in many strong performances on the ice, but both he and Murphy cited last season's Connecticut College game and this winter's Hamilton game as two of the best Carceo has played at Tufts. His performance in the Connecticut game on November 30, 2001, earned him the title of NESCAC Co-Player of the Week. Carceo netted the game-winning goal and notched three assists in the Jumbos' first NESCAC win since joining the league, and their first defeat of the Camels in seven years.

This winter, the Jumbos defeated Williams and Hamilton College, both for the first time since varsity ice hockey was restored to Tufts in 1986. According to Murphy, Carceo "played very well on both ends of the ice" against Hamilton.

"He's the kind of guy who is always going 100 percent no matter the situation," Schatz said.

Carceo got involved with organized hockey when he was 12 years old, but has "always skated and played pond hockey."

By his senior year at nearby Belmont High School, Carceo was the captain of the soccer, hockey, and baseball teams. In hockey, he is Belmont's all-time leading scorer.

As his time at Tufts winds down, Carceo says he hopes "to have as much fun as possible for the next couple months and to enjoy it all while I can."

The Economics major is currently searching the job market, and with the help of an agent, he is also exploring the possibility of playing hockey in Europe for a year or two.

Regardless of whether Carceo's future will include more competition on the ice, it is certain that his impact at Tufts will reverberate through future seasons.

"Mike has clearly been one of the best players ever here at Tufts," Murphy said. "His legacy will be one of consistency and commitment, but most importantly, of leadership. He really kept the guys together last season. When Mike graduates, his legacy will be seen in our younger players who have had a chance to learn from him. Despite all the points and everything else, that's going to be what he leaves with the program."