Massachusetts Marc McLaughlin Lives Out Dream, Scores for Bruins

Ask any kid in any hockey program across the New England what they dream about, and the answer will be the same.

Northern Massachusetts native Marc McLaughlin dreamed about playing for the Boston Bruins and feeling the exhilaration of scoring that first NHL goal for his beloved team in the black and gold sweaters.

Every young hockey player conjures up the same daydream.

The difference is that McLaughlin of Billerica, Massachusetts, actually had that dream come true.

Hard work is in his DNA, and clearly from a young age.

According to Boston College, he attended Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, MA, where he also played baseball for two years as well as hockey.

As a hockey parent, I've seen many of the best high school players excel in another sport, like baseball or lacrosse. These students are natural athletes with a gift for not only athleticism, but also grit and determination. They give it all they've got. It's a drive and passion not every athlete has, but imperative to making it to the big leagues in any sport.

So, when McLaughlin was introduced as a forward for the Boston Bruins at the thundering loud TD Garden on Thursday night, over 50 of his family and friends were in the stands to watch him play.

And what a show they saw, when the 6 foot, 200 lb forward scored his first NHL goal, in his first NHL game, for the team he grew up cheering for and dreaming of.

To make this dream happen, McLaughlin had to move away from his family to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to attend Washington High School, according to Boston College. The school noted that he was hockey captain of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) in 2017-18, and from there he went to Boston College for a four-year hockey extravaganza, putting up great stats while anchoring the team as captain.

CBS reports McLaughlin scored 21 goals and had 10 assists in 33 games at Boston College this past season. He signed with the Bruins in March after he finished his college career. He also played on the USA Olympic Hockey team.

Congrats #26!

LOOK: 50 images of winning moments from sports history

Sometimes images are the best way to honor the figures we've lost. When tragedy swiftly reminds us that sports are far from the most consequential thing in life, we can still look back on an athlete's winning moment that felt larger than life, remaining grateful for their sacrifice on the court and bringing joy to millions.

Read on to explore the full collection of 50 images Stacker compiled showcasing various iconic winning moments in sports history. Covering achievements from a multitude of sports, these images represent stunning personal achievements, team championships, and athletic perseverance.