You never know how an internship can shape your future.
For Chris Ferrero, it wasn’t even his internship.
Ferrero is a senior at Father Judge High School, and like all kids, he played all sports growing up.
When he was about 5, his mom had an internship with the Philadelphia Flyers. She learned about hockey, and it was decided he would give the sport a chance.
“She was doing an internship with the marketing department, and hockey was always a real big thing in my family, so my parents asked me if I wanted to try it,” Ferrero, a Mayfair resident, said. “I got set up, I learned to skate, I was playing and I fell in love with it.
“Hockey became a huge part of my life. I really fell in love with it. I made so many great friends for the rest of my life. Hockey has been the best experience for me, it’s helped me make so many great memories. I love it.”
And since he got to Judge, those memories have become even greater.
So have the bonds with teammates.
That’s what happens when you help your team become one of the best teams in the Catholic League.
While Ferrero wasn’t a key contributor to the team during his first two years, he was in the program as the Crusaders twice advanced to the Catholic League championship game.
Then last year, with him as a front-line player, the Crusaders once again advanced to the championship game. This time, they got over the top and brought home the PCL championship, knocking off Salesianum, a school in Wilmington, Delaware, that competes in the Philadelphia-based league.
“My favorite thing about playing for Judge would be the big games,” said Ferrero, who plays center and works in at wing when needed. “Playing in the big games where everyone shows up. We get good crowds. I love the packed games, they’re so much fun to play in.
“We get great athletes, friends, everyone from the school. We have a group chat, we give them time, location and whoever shows up makes noise. We go to football games, basketball games. We all support each other at Judge. That’s one of the best things about the school.”
The bigger the game, the more fun it is.
Judge is battling it out for second place in the Catholic League. The Crusaders will likely finish in the second or third spot, which would set up a matchup against Devon Prep in the playoffs. A win there would send Judge back to the championship game for the fourth straight season.
“It was great, getting to the championship, but winning it was the best feeling,” Ferrero said. “Most people never get a chance to win a PCL championship. For me to have that experience, it will stick with me for the rest of my life. That memory. A few years earlier, in fact the two years before, we went to the PCL championship and lost both times. We know how important it is to win when you get there.”
When he’s on the ice, Ferrero just wants to win. He’s happy to do whatever it takes to make that happen, and on Judge, that means being the guy who sets up his teammates. When it leads to wins, he’s happy.
“I’m a playmaker,” Ferrero said. “I love scoring, but I just do my job. I get goals here and there, but my job is to set others up. I love doing it, it’s good because I feel like it’s what I’m needed for. I can contribute in ways other guys can’t. I can still score, I can get my stuff done. I know the game. I know it well, so I can set people up in position to score. I have a lot more assists. They’re points, too.”
While nothing is better than lighting the lamp, Ferrero has found other sports to occupy his time. And pad his wallet.
When he’s not taking slapshots, Ferrero is driving the ball on the Crusaders golf team. During the summer, he’s able to earn money working the same courses.
“I have been playing hockey since I was 5, and when I got to high school, a bunch of my friends I met through hockey were playing golf,” Ferrero said. “I started playing and I like it a lot. I got two jobs through it, too. I’m able to work at both John F. Byrne and the Union League Torresdale. It’s been a journey. I joined the golf team because of it. Hockey is my sport, but golf is great, too.”
Ferrero has high hopes for the Crusaders to win another championship. But he’s also got other big goals.
A strong student, Ferrero hopes to continue his hockey career – either college team or club team – in college. Ferrero, who ranks 44th in his senior class, hopes to major in finance.
“I think it’s a good major because it’s the new wave,” he said. “I can understand how money works, build wealth for my future family.”
Ferrero knows how important that can be.
He credits his family for giving him the perfect assists.
He also credits his school.
“My mom and dad have done everything for me,” Ferrero said. “At the end of the day, if I can give back what they gave me, it might not be possible, I’ll try my best. They shaped me to be the way I am today.
“So did Judge. Father Judge has shaped me the way I am. It’s given me so many friendships that I’ll always have. It’s been a great experience at Father Judge. I would love to bring the school another championship.”
