Chuck Tomes

Q: Where are you from?
A:I grew up in Windham, NH and now live in Andover, MA.

Q: What team did/do you play for?
A: Tabor Academy and then Northeastern University.

Q: Did you attend a University or College?
A: I went to Northeastern University and received a BA in Finance.

Q: What do you do for a living?
A: I work on the global multi-sector fixed income team at Manulife Investment Management. We manage mutual funds and institutional strategies for clients in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you have taken from your athletic career that translates into everyday life?
A: There are countless examples of lessons that I learned from athletics, but I would say there are three that stand out the most.
1. Not everything will go as planned and you will have to deal with adversity at some point. The most important thing will be how you react to it. Learning to keep your emotions under control, learning from what happened and focusing your energy on how you can get better so if you do face it again, you will be able to overcome it.
2. Little things add up to big things, so make sure you are always doing the little things well.
3. Work Hard – There are always things that will be out of your control, but how much effort you are putting in is always something that you can control.

Q: Why did you choose to play hockey?
A: I was fortunate enough that my father played hockey when he was younger and I had some older cousins that played, so my two brothers and I were introduced to it at a young age. I did play three sports until I graduated high school, but from a young age it was clear to me that hockey was the one I loved the most.

Q: Do you have any hockey career highlights, accomplishments, or favorite memories?
A: All the times spent with all the great people I have been fortunate to get to know through hockey are the things that I remember the most over my time playing hockey. Playing mini stick games in the hallway of a hotel at a tournament, celebrating with my teammates and all the lifelong friendships that I have developed through hockey are at the top of the list. I would also have to say that being taught “the right way to toe drag” by Junior when I was in high school would be right up there as well.

Q: Do you still play hockey?
A: I have three young children, so I don’t play as much as I used to, but I am having a lot of fun helping coach my two daughters and skating with my family on our backyard rink.

Q: What’s your connection with TSR?
A: I started shopping at TSR when they opened their first store in Salem, NH. Brendan and Dave have always been so knowledgeable and helpful with anything that I could have possibly needed. Mike (at TSR Team) is someone who I have known for years, has been great in helping with any apparel needs and is someone I know will always come through. In addition to Brendan Jr. and Mike, I have been fortunate enough to get to know a vast majority of the Sheehy family. I first got to know Brendan Sr. back when I was playing in college and he was the director of officials for Hockey East and I currently work with Tim. So, I guess you could say I have a strong relationship with TSR.

Q: Any advice for younger athletes?
A: Work hard, don’t get discouraged when things don’t necessarily go your way, always try to get better each day, and most importantly to have fun.