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ECHL Manchester Monarchs

American Pride Night Has Special Meaning to Forward Zac Larraza

March 4, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Manchester Monarchs News Release


Manchester Monarchs Forward Zac Larraza
Manchester Monarchs Forward Zac Larraza
(Manchester Monarchs)

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Hockey players show their heroics on the ice. They score thrilling game-winning goals to lead their teams to victories and deliver bone-crushing hits to change momentum in games.

For Manchester Monarchs forward, Zac Larraza, these small feats don't compare to the heroism that active military and veterans show on a daily basis, and on Saturday, March 5, the Monarchs will honor all service women and men in the annual American Pride Night game.

Larraza knows firsthand the sacrifices and bravery exhibited by the military, as his younger brother, Alex, serves in the Marine Corps. Each night at the start of the game, he is reminded of this brother and others in the same position.

"When I hear the National Anthem before the start of games, I stand still and think about him and what he and all the people like him are doing for our country," Larraza said.

This season, Larraza has had the opportunity to see his brother twice. In a three-month span, he's seen Alex while he's been on the road with the Monarchs and during a call-up with the San Diego Gulls. While facing the Charlotte Checkers, Larraza was able to see Alex and bring him to the arena to watch the Gulls play.

"Growing up, he always looked up to me for advice, whether it was in sports or things with the family," Larraza said. "Now with him in the Marines, I look up to him and have a ton of pride in what he's doing. It's incredible that there is somebody in my family who takes part in the armed forces."

When his brother is able to come home on leave, Larraza and his family make the most of their time together, and when he can't make it back to Arizona, his parents go to him.

"Alex being in the Marines means a lot to my family," Larraza said. "He may have had two weeks off in the last three years, so it it's been tough to see him, but my parents try to visit him as much as possible. I just have a lot of pride in him and the other people just like him."

Every time he sees his brother, Larraza knows it is special. They try to speak as much as possible, and with Alex stationed back in the U.S. at Camp Lejeune for the time being, communication is a little easier. While Alex served a seven-month deployment overseas, Larraza was only able to speak to his brother once a month. Although his brother never gave him advice about hockey, Larraza came away from those conversations with a different outlook on life.

"It was always pretty cool to hear about what he was doing over there," Larraza said. "When taking in what he was doing during his deployment, I learned not to take anything for granted in my life."

Larraza comes from a large family who always supported him throughout his career. His mother and father always encouraged him to play hockey, even though Zac grew up in the hot sun of Scottsdale, AZ.

"I fell in love with the sport right away," Larraza said. "My dad played since he grew up in Michigan, and although my mom didn't grow up with the sport, they both pushed me to play hockey and get involved as much as possible."

While his brother is his hero off the ice, Larraza's hero on the ice is Arizona Coyotes captain, Shane Doan.

"I was lucky to meet Doan a few years ago, and now we keep in touch during the summer," Larraza said. "He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, and is always there to lend advice and pass down knowledge from his 17-years of professional hockey."

Being an Arizona kid, it was a dream come true for Larraza when he was drafted by his hometown Coyotes in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

"I'll take that with me for the rest of my life, Larraza said. "The draft was nerve wracking, but when I heard my name called, it was really cool and in that moment, everything became real. I knew that I wasn't done yet, and every day, my goal is to work, work, work."

This season, Larraza has been called up to the AHL three times, twice by the San Diego Gulls and once by the Portland Pirates, so the work on the ice is paying off for the rookie forward. Larraza should be proud of his accomplishments so far, but the young forward is grounded and remains humble, always looking forward to hearing the National Anthem to remind himself who he is most proud of.

"An event like American Pride Night means a great deal to me, not only because of how close I am with my brother, but because I know so many other people are doing the same thing as he is to keep our country safe and as great as it is," Larraza said. "The true heroes can be honored, and I'm excited to play in front of that kind of crowd. I hope a ton of service men and women can come out to support this amazing night. It will give us an opportunity to say thank you, and give them our support which is truly deserved."

The Monarchs will play the Orlando Solar Bears on Saturday, March 5 (7 p.m.), celebrating American Pride Night. Various activities are planned for the night including a truck pull featuring local police and fire teams, a salute to Veterans in attendance, a U.S. Army swear-in and a ceremonial puck drop from Medal of Honor recipient, Staff Sargent Ryan Pitts.




Images from this story

Manchester Monarchs Forward Zac Larraza
Manchester Monarchs Forward Zac Larraza
   



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