The other Bogosian

For St. Lawrence captain and Massena native, NHL brother is a source of pride
by Adam Wodon/Web Editor


Aaron Bogosian knew he was a pretty good hockey player. But he also knew his brother, three years younger, could be even better.
So, when the boys' mom wouldn't let Zach, then just 15-years-old, leave home unless Aaron went with him, Aaron -- having already been away from home two years himself -- agreed to go as a package deal to Cushing Academy, a prep school in central Massachusetts.
"We knew Zach had to get out of Massena to be seen," Aaron said. "He didn't even really know about the OHL yet, but when he was 15 he had to get out of there and play somewhere, and mom wasn't going to let him go unless I went with him."
Aaron left home with a 5-foot-7-inch brother. He came back the next summer with a 6- foot-tall brother. That's when he really knew.
"I knew he was always going to be good; any sport he would've played, he would've been a professional," Aaron said. "It's disgusting how in shape he is."
Aaron was right, as evidenced by Zach's burgeoning career as a defenseman for the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers, who made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NHL draft. Meanwhile, Aaron, a forward, is trying to forge his own mark, currently leading a young St. Lawrence team in his senior season.
"It goes by so fast; it feels like yesterday I was just a freshman here," he said. The Saints came close to reaching the NCAA tournament a couple of times recently, but then lost a lot of talent after falling just short last year. This year, it's been tough for Bogosian to know that his last season is a rebuilding year of sorts. The Saints stood 7- 12-4 in late January, their ECAC record of 3-8 putting them n 10th place.
"I don't think that's affected him that much, because he thinks we've got better days ahead of us," St. Lawrence coach Joe Marsh said. "We're a smaller market team and guys have to adjust. We have to rebuild, not reload, and he's a huge part of that process. His work ethic is phenomenal. He looks like an NFL running back."
Bogosian’s experience serves him well. He comes from a family of athletes, including his dad, who played some football at Syracuse in the mid-1970s. Growing up in the northern New York town of Massena, he had plenty of chances to play on the outdoor rinks.
"We don't live in the nicest area. There's a couple streets you have to watch out for," Bogosian said. "Dad would drop us off and Mom would be wary for us. We were all together, playing with a bunch of older kids. It got intense, but nothing ever happened bad."
Aaron spent two years in junior hockey in Ontario border towns before going to Cushing. After that, Zach left for the Major Junior OHL, while Aaron went to the USHL, playing for a Cedar Rapids team that included Casey Wellman, Rob Bordson and Richard Bachman, all of whom left college for recent NHL deals.
When it came time to decide on college, Bogosian figured he'd already traveled enough. That made it easier to choose the school right down the road from where he grew up, St. Lawrence.
"Being a hometown boy, all my friends and family get to watch me," Bogosian said. "It's cool when I go home to see the support that I get."
"So many people know the Bogosian family in Massena," Marsh said. "The name is associated with quality kids and what goes into a team. He's a really special guy. ... He pays attention to the important things. His parents are great. They brought the kid up right. He treats people with respect."
Another influence on Bogosian was former Clarkson coach Mark Morris, a Massena native who is close to Bogosian's family and now coaches the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs. Despite a successful tenure in Potsdam, Morris' time at Clarkson didn't end well. So Morris instead steered Bogosian toward his friend, Marsh, coach of Clarkson’s rival just 10 minutes away. Morris worked with Aaron a lot to develop him into the player he's become.
"He's a player that can really complement skill guys and pressure the puck with his speed and force turnovers," Marsh said.
Meanwhile, Zach went on to the NHL. And there's never been any jealousy about it; the two remain best friends.
"You know Zach has benefited a great deal from having Aaron as his older brother," Marsh said.
Aaron goes to see Zach any chance he can get, usually when the Thrashers swing through the region to play Ottawa or Montreal or Toronto.
"I'm really happy for what he's done so far," Aaron said. "He's going to do a lot more. I know he's not satisfied."
Aaron is not satisfied either. Bogosian knows his leadership can help set a foundation for bigger things in the future for St. Lawrence, but he also wants to grasp the opportunities that are left before he leaves.
"I never made it to the NCAA tournament. I would really love to do that and win the ECAC championship," Aaron said. "I really don't know (what's ahead after school). I'm just trying to play my best out there right now. Hopefully scouts will recognize it."