PLAYER SNAPSHOT
Name: Nicholas Baranivsky
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Date of Birth: August 9, 2010
Born: St. Louis Park, MN
Citizenship: American 🇺🇸
Position: Forward (F)
Shoots: Right
Height / Weight: 5'8" / 140 lbs
Current Team: (summer/fall) Minnesota Walleye 15U Tier 1, (winter 2025-2026) Holy Family Catholic High School
League: (summer/fall) MN Hockey CCM High Performance Tier 1 League; (winter) Minnesota State High School League
Graduation Year: 2029
NCAA Eligibility: Too Young
Advisor: A.J. Bucchino
BIO
Nicholas is a highly motivated, coachable two-way center with a team-first mentality. Renowned by his coaches for his high hockey IQ, relentless compete level, and responsibility, he's a standout on both the forecheck and backcheck, consistently playing the game the right way. Valued by teammates, Nicholas is a motivating presence on the bench and in the locker room, making him an invaluable asset to any team.
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NOTABLE:
- Named a MAP Ambassador for MAP Hockey's pilot ambassador program
- Perfect 4.0 GPA demonstrating academic excellence
- 3x Breakaway Academy Chess Champion
MY STORY
1. WHERE I STARTED
"I started skating on the outdoor rinks of Minnesota at age three with my favorite rink being one of the best outdoor rinks in Minnesota - Klapprich Park in Wayzata. I took to ice skating right away and never wanted to leave the rink."
2. CHALLENGES I'VE FACED
"Though I'm not the biggest player on the ice, I love contact and will attempt to block any shot to help my team. In my final game with my 2010 Machine Orange AAA summer team in August 2023, I blocked a crucial shot in the championship game's closing seconds against a 2009 team. It cost me the tip of my top-hand pinky, and I nearly passed out when the rink doctor showed me the injury. Still, I stayed for the team championship photo before heading to urgent care. The six-week recovery was tough as winter tryouts were approaching, but my pinky tip grew back, and I was back on the ice stronger than ever. Hockey's highs and lows have taught me to stay resilient, keep my head down, and turn challenges into opportunities."
3. WHAT DRIVES ME
"I'm driven by my love for hockey, the discipline of training, and the challenge of getting better everyday, but playing for my teammates is what drives me most. Growing up in Minnesota's hockey culture has given me lifelong friends and unforgettable moments in the locker room and beyond. On the ice, it's not about me—it's about the team. Nothing compares to the thrill of a hard-fought win, celebrating with my brothers in the locker room. While I'm committed to my own growth and development, I know that stepping onto the ice means putting the team first."
4. WHERE I'M HEADED
"Short-term, I want to continue developing and growing as a player while competing in Minnesota high school hockey at Holy Family Catholic High School. I'll be a freshman this coming season and understand there will be highs and lows, but I'm committed to improving both as a player and a teammate. The coaches are building something special at Holy Family, and I believe many in the hockey community will be surprised by how strong this program becomes. Over the next few years, development off the ice will be just as important as on the ice, and I will continue working to get stronger in the weight room. Longer-term, my goal after high school is to play Tier 1 junior hockey and then advance to NCAA Division I hockey."
5. GOOD TO KNOW
"Coaches and organizations who bring me onto their team will get a player they can count on. I bring strong on-ice skills—hockey IQ, a complete 200-foot game, skating, and speed—paired with disciplined off-ice habits and maturity. I also pride myself on high character and being a great teammate. I won’t let my coaches, teammates, or organization down.
STATS
EliteProspects
RECRUITMENT GOALS & PREFERENCES
Open to: NCAA Division I, USHL, WHL, BCHL, NAHL
Willing to relocate: Yes
Advisor: A.J. Bucchino
VIDEO
YouTube
MEDIA & PRESS FEATURES
Social Media Features:
News Coverage:
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Selected to play in Minnesota Hockey's CCM High Performance Spring Festival (2024 and 2025)
- Selected to Minnesota Hockey's 2010 High Performance Development Camp - St. Cloud State University (2024 and 2025)
- Selected to 2010 Team Minnesota (Red) - USHL Fall Classic in Pittsburgh (September 17-21, 2025)
- Fall Tier 1 hockey – 2010 Minnesota Walleye (2024–2025)
- Wayzata Bantam AA – 2024–2025 Season
- Playing MN varsity high school hockey at Holy Family Catholic High School as a freshman (2025–2026)
- Breakaway Academy alumni
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AWARDS
- MAP Ambassador Selection (2024-2025)
- 3x Breakaway Academy Chess Champion
ACADEMICS
School: Holy Family Catholic High School
GPA: 4.0
SAT / ACT: Too young
Honors: N/A
Graduation Year: 2029
Transcript: Available upon request
SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @nicholas_baranivsky
SCOUTING REPORT
A highly intelligent two-way center who combines exceptional hockey IQ with relentless compete level. Demonstrates strong responsibility and leadership qualities while consistently playing the game the right way. Shows remarkable team-first mentality and motivating presence both on the bench and in the locker room.
Strengths: Hockey IQ, Two-Way Play, Compete Level, Leadership, Team-First Mentality, Character
Growth Areas: Continued physical development, strength building
TESTIMONIALS
"Nicholas has many great attributes as a hockey player. His work ethic and compete level will always be at the top as he continues to raise the bar and compete harder than everyone out there. His willingness to win puck battles and get to the puck first in the corners is something that will always get notice and he does very well. Nicholas is hard working but also coachable. He doesn’t get drills wrong and he learns from his mistakes right away. All these attributes are what great hockey players have and he has high potential to make it very far in this sport.
Nicholas has great skills especially his hockey smarts and getting open. He sees the ice very well without the puck which allows him to get a lot of puck touches each shift. His vision with the puck in all three zones allow him to be most effective; getting pucks out in the d-zone, moving it quick in the neutral zone creating great offensive puck rushes, and getting pucks to the net in the offensive zone. He is learning to be more creative and deceptive every day with the puck and he is really starting to have a shoot first mentality.
Things Nicholas will continue to get better at is shooting deception, puck protection, and his soft touch in tight areas of the ice. Nicholas needs to keep working on his shot in tough areas and traffic areas. He has to keep learning how to score around the net with pressure. He also needs to be more deceptive with his feet and hands when protecting pucks in corners and around the ice. His quickness will continue to get better but he has to keep learning ways to protect the puck. All these areas are great things to work on as Nicholas continues his hockey journey. Overall Nicholas is a great teammate who builds everyone up around him, he is a lead by example mentality, and he hates to lose.”
— JP Lafontaine, Director of Hockey Operations at Breakaway Academy
“It is of great pleasure to write a testimonial for Nicholas Baranivsky, whom I have known for the past four years in my position as the Director of Education at Breakaway Academy.
Nick participated in many activities while attending Breakaway Academy. He is the three time defending Chess Champion and has worked diligently with our Service Learning Projects. Nick is dedicated, hard-working, and a pleasure to work with. Nick has always been respectful and very cooperative. The combination of hard work and honesty will allow Nick to be very successful in life.
Nick has a great academic record. He ranked top of his class while attending Breakaway Academy. Nick took interest in every class he enrolled in. The teachers enjoyed his happy personality while in class. Combining academics with his activities and athletics can be a juggling act. Nick does not have a problem with this. He was well liked in the classroom and the community. He is very easy to get along with and has a great attitude.
Nicholas is an outstanding hockey player. He has the ability to make plays with the puck, defends well, and has great knowledge of the game. Nick has a tremendous work habit and gives his best efforts when developing his skills. He skates well, shoots the puck very hard, and is very competitive. These skills will help Nicholas be successful at Holy Family. I give Nicholas Baranivsky my highest recommendation."
— Dave Snuggerud, Director of Education at Breakaway Academy
"Nicholas embodies everything you want in a young hockey player - exceptional hockey IQ, relentless compete level, and genuine team-first character. What really sets Nicholas apart is his maturity and leadership qualities at such a young age."
— A.J. Bucchino, Advisor
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Reference Contacts:
- JP Lafontaine, Director of Hockey Operations (Breakaway Academy) – [email protected]
- Garrett Gruenke, Director at MAP/FHIT Hockey - (612) 618-4626, [email protected]
- Zack Friedli, Head Coach Holy Family High School Boys Hockey - (507) 272-5585, [email protected]
CONTACT
Preferred method of contact:
- Email: [email protected]
- Father: [email protected]
Advisor Contact:
- Name: A.J. Bucchino
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (603) 540-5713
- Website: maphockey.com
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