In his two seasons as a Flyer, fan-favorite Smbat Defterderian brought his all to the rink every night. Whether up by two or down by five, #9 never took a shift off.

Listed at 5’8”, Defterderian plays like he is 6’8”; always digging pucks out of corners, crashing the net and never shying away from scraps with much bigger opponents. He is the quintessential teammate as well, well liked by everyone, on both sides of the ice.

With a motor than never stops running, it was no surprise to see him recruited to play hockey at the next level. While playing at the Western States Hockey League Showcase back in December, Worcester State (NCAA DIII) Assistant Coach John Coughlin liked the tenacity he saw in Defterderian and couldn’t argue with how often he showed up on the score sheet.

Needing to add some grit to his roster, Coughlin invited Defterderian to Worcester, Massachusetts for a tryout in the fall.

After making the team out of training camp, Defterderian found himself on the “stopper” line, with another WSHL alumnus, Brenton Dyok of the San Diego Gulls.

Teammates also include former WSHL graduates: Taylor Fant, Hurley Kane, Jordan Roberts and Andris Sudmalis (Boulder Bison) Tyson Cox, Stephen Rock and Nate Stanley (Idaho Jr. Steelheads), Cody Osburn and Andrew Pierson (Fresno Monsters), Tim Bowman and Derek Serbon (Tulsa Rampage), Curtis Martin (San Diego Gulls), Vinny Bohn (El Paso Rhinos) and Ryan Pittman (Texas Jr. Brahmas).

In his first game of NCAA hockey, Defterderian notched an assist on his first shift of the game. He played just over 15 minutes in the game and finished with one goal and two assists, in a 7-4 victory over Suffolk University. Surprising to some but not to anyone that has seen him play consistently for years.

Defterderian and the Lancers currently sit at 1-2-1, as they head into the core of their schedule in MASCAC.

The Valencia Flyers and Western States Hockey League wish Smbat and the Worcester State Lancers the best of luck in the 2011-2012 season.