Danny O’Regan: A Boston Boy with a Beanpot Dream

By: Dan Shulman

Every year, thousands of college hockey fans turn their attention to the Beanpot Tournament in Boston, Massachusetts.

From a young age, children around the Greater Boston area dream of playing on the TD Garden Ice during the first two Mondays in February. For Boston University senior Danny O’Regan, that dream has come true.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the Beanpot,” said O’Regan. “I grew up dreaming about it so it’s a surreal feeling every year.”

The Terriers’ alternate captain is playing in his fourth and final Beanpot Tournament this February, and last season he finally got his hands on the coveted Beanpot.

“It’s my fourth shot at it,” said O’Regan. “It’s unbelievable. Last year I was lucky enough to win one. It’s such a special thing to do it in front of all the family and friends.”

The senior forward is the third member of his family to play in the Beanpot, following his father Tom and his older brother Tommy.

Last season, Danny and Tommy met in the first round of the Beanpot when the Terriers took on Harvard. Moments into double overtime, it was Danny O’Regan potting the game winner off a Crimson turnover.

“We had two crazy, hard-fought, overtime games last year. We definitely know what it takes. You can’t screw up one little thing or the puck could end up in the back of your net.”

Despite winning the 2015 Beanpot, O’Regan still feels that his team must take things one game at a time, starting on Monday in a rematch of last year’s final against Northeastern.

“[Northeastern is] definitely going to come out hard early. We are just going to take it like it’s another game and prepare for it like we always would.”

Danny O’Regan isn’t the only local product competing in the Beanpot this season. Harvard’s Jimmy Vesey, Northeastern’s Sam Kurker, and Boston College’s Ryan Fitzgerald are just a few other examples of children who grew up to accomplish their dream of playing in the Beanpot.