Get to know senior goaltender Tommy Scarfone
September 26, 2024 | Men's Hockey
2024 Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Year is excited to be a Badger
MADISON, Wis. – Tommy Scarfone is a man of many names. The senior goaltender is the 2024 Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Year, a two-time Atlantic Hockey First-Team All-Conference member, a 2024 Atlantic Hockey regular season and tournament champion, a member of the 2024-25 Preseason All-Big Ten Second Team and a 2024 Mike Richter Award semifinalist, among other things.
Now, he can add 'Badger' to his resume.Â
As a transfer student from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Scarfone brings consistency, calmness and three years of college hockey experience to Wisconsin, where he will battle for playing time with UW's other two goaltenders. The senior from Montreal, Quebec, takes pride in his work ethic, and he's excited to show off his goaltending skills to Badger fans at the Kohl Center and beyond.
While going through the transfer process, what influenced you to attend Wisconsin?
Everything about Wisconsin influenced me, pretty much. The facilities here and the coaching staff are unbelievable. The atmosphere you get playing here is as well. Same with the culture of winning. All of these were a huge attraction for me. This year, I'm looking forward to making great saves and winning some games for the fans.
How has getting to know Madison been? Have you found any favorite restaurants or spots around campus?
It's been awesome. It was really cool being here all summer, too, because I got to get used to the city, get used to the town, get used to the rink. I got to know where all my classes were, so that was really fun. I'm loving it so far – it's a beautiful place. I got to know the terrace a lot as I'd go walk there for fun. I also really love Rare Steakhouse. That would definitely be a top restaurant for me.
Both you and Cody Laskosky transferred from RIT to Wisconsin this year. What's it like being able to play with him again?Â
It's really cool to be able to play my whole college career with him at two different schools. It's kind of awesome. We were really close for the last three years, so to be able to come here and share that friendship has been really cool. I'm looking forward to our last year together.
How have your teammates and the UW staff supported your transition to a new school?Â
It's been great. Everyone from the coaching staff to all my teammates have been super welcoming. They made me feel at home the second I got here. That was a really swift transition. I got to know all my teammates really well over the summer. I already knew Christian Fitzgerald, and I knew of Simon Tassy, but then I met him when I was here. Tassy and I are both from Montreal, so I skated with him when I was home over break. We only live 45 minutes away from each other, so that was really cool – we're roommates now. French is my first language, and since we're the only French guys on the team, we're able to speak the language when we're together which is awesome.
You mentioned that French is your first language. How has that affected you as a Canadian living in the U.S.?
I grew up being bilingual. I went to French school up until grade 10 but spoke English at home. I spoke English with my friends, too – everyone in my area of Montreal was bilingual. One big way it has affected me is that I can only think in French. I can only say the months in order in French in my head, and then I have to repeat them in English – I can't start in English or I'll get lost. Allez les Blaireaux! (Let's go Badgers!)
Wisconsin Hockey is "Goalkeeper U" – what does it mean to play at a school with a legacy of producing many of the goaltending greats?
It's a huge honor to come to a place that has produced so many great goaltenders. At the same time, my goal is to do the same thing – come here, make my mark and be another one of the great goaltenders that have passed through Wisconsin.
How has it been getting to know William Gramme and Anton Castro, the two other goaltenders on UW's roster?
It's been really good. I've always had good relationships with all my goaltending partners in the past. I think the best thing is to try to keep it loose. Off the ice, we're always friends, laughing and making jokes. On the ice, we can compete and push each other to work harder. We also always encourage each other – when someone makes a big save we're always there to be them and support them. We make each other better.
To you, what does it mean to be a Badger?
I take a lot of pride in being a Badger. It's a huge honor. Coming to the rink every day and seeing the facilities makes you think, 'wow, I'm here,' and it reminds you that you're proud to be here. It's super cool to be here and know that I'm going to graduate from the University of Wisconsin and that I can tell everyone for the rest of my life that I was a Badger.
Briefly describe your hockey career. What special skills do you bring to this Wisconsin team?
I went to three different high schools for hockey in Canada. Then, at 17 years old in grade 11, I left home to go to prep school at Stanstead College. It was in Quebec, but two hours away from Montreal. I played there for two years. After that, I went over to Vancouver, British Columbia, and played in the BCHL for two years. I played with Christian Fitzgerald both years in Vancouver. That's how we met. After that, I went over to RIT for three years and transferred here for my senior year. I'm bringing over some experience, some calmness too. I don't really tend to get nervous. I bring consistency as well. I take a lot of pride in my practice habits and how I play. I just try to be the most consistent version of myself.
You've racked up a number of notable awards and accolades during your college career so far. How does it feel to be recognized for your achievements?
It's awesome to have all the awards, but I think it pushes me to look to get the next award. My mind is not set on winning awards – my mind is set on winning, and the awards just come with it. The way I look at it, winning awards is cool to look back on and be like, 'wow, I accomplished that.' That's something I can hold with me forever. Now, I'm just focused on the present and the future and being able to be a dominant goaltender in the NCAA again with the Badgers. I want to bring a championship back to Madison for the fans.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?Â
I'm not really a superstitious person or goalie. I don't do any crazy things. I do have my routines that I try to follow, whether it be coming to the rink for a pre-game skate or getting a meal and relaxing at home. I'm not a big napper, but I tend to sit and watch TV and just completely chill. When it's time to come to the rink I'll have a coffee, do some video, stretch with the team and by myself, and just dial in and get ready for the game.
How do you handle pressure when your team relies on you to make a crucial save?
I don't really get stressed, so I rely on my habits and my work ethic. I know that I've worked hard all week in practice, so I just try to go out there and play and have fun. That's what my dad tells me all the time. Don't worry about it, just have fun and rely on your skills. That's what I do. Doesn't matter if it's a 5-0 game or a 1-0 game – I'm going to play the same and be consistent.
Who is another goaltender that you look up to and why?
My favorite goalie recently has been Jordan Binnington. It's a big controversy because of all his antics, but I like him a lot because of his story. He got brought up to the St. Louis Blues when they were a losing team and he backstopped them to a Stanley Cup. The way he came in and battled adversity is why I like him. I like his story, and I kind of go through that same thing every day of my life because I'm not a tall goaltender. So, I just really like his story.Â
If you had to describe yourself using only three words, what would they be?
First, I would say calm, for sure. I never get mad, and I don't really show my emotions, especially when I play hockey. Second, I'm consistent. I take a lot of pride in how I'm practicing, how I'm performing and how I'm playing. The third one would be hardworking. In anything I do, whether it's academics or sports, I always give it my all and try to be the best version of myself.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I like being outdoors. I was born in Montreal, so I'm a big city guy. I prefer the city over the country. Just walking and being in a city surrounded by people makes me happy. I like the energy and vibe that the city atmosphere brings. I also like listening to music – rap or EDM, not country. I enjoy spending time with the boys laughing and making jokes, keeping it easy.Â
What's your guilty pleasure TV show or movie?
"Peaky Blinders," for sure. It's my favorite TV show. The main character has the same name as me, so that's awesome. I'm on my third time through watching it now. I watch it every two years or something, and I'm just waiting for the movie to come out.Â
Do you have any hidden talents that your teammates don't know about?
I'm a really fast typer. As I said before, I also think in French. Finally, I can make a really good cup of coffee. I'm Italian, so I drink a lot of it!
If you could trade places with any celebrity for a day, who would it be?
I think it would have to be Ryan Reynolds. I would love to be Deadpool for a day. It's my favorite movie, and I'd love to be on set. That'd be really cool.
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