Looking back on his path to the NHL, Rob Scuderi definitely took the road less traveled. 

Not only did he go straight from high school to one of the most prestigious collegiate hockey programs in the country, the Syosset native also took his time to develop his game while also getting an education. 

Compared to today’s athletic arms race where everyone is in a hurry to get to the next level, Scuderi is a bit of a unicorn. But looking back at his storied career, it’s easy to see that his patience and persistence paid off in a big way. 

The four years Scuderi spent at Boston College not only allowed him to follow through on his goal of earning a college degree, it also set him up for a 12-year NHL career that saw him play in 783 games and win two Stanley Cups. 

It’s only fitting that as the crowning jewel of his career at Boston College, Scuderi was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. 

He and his family made the drive from their home in Garden City to the Boston suburb of Chestnut Hill for the weekend celebration earlier this month. In addition to the induction ceremony, the Scuderis attended a football game and capped off the weekend by being honored during the Eagles hockey game against the University of Maine. 

Scuderi had a chance to watch Hauppauge natives James and Michael Hagens in action. The brothers are freshmen this season at BC. It was a reunion of sorts for Scuderi, who played with their father, Michael. 

He also had a chance to catch up with his former head coach Jerry York and his wife Bobbie during the ceremony. It was not only a chance to relive old times, but it also gave Scuderi an opportunity to thank the legendary bench boss for helping him find his footing in hockey and in life. 

“After my parents, the number one people that I would thank for helping me get to where I am is Jerry York and his coaching staff, who took a chance on me, especially guiding me from a non-traditional market and making that jump,” he said. 

Scuderi’s career path to Boston College is also unique in that he went straight from competing for New York Apple Core and St. Anthony’s High School right to college without ever playing junior hockey. The transition came with its share of challenges, but after attending the World Junior training camp and having an opportunity to compete against many of the top players in the country, Scuderi was confident that he was ready for the challenges ahead. 

“That was actually a fantastic preview to college hockey. That level of hockey and the level of individual talent was a great eye-opener,” Scuderi recalled. 

“Everyone is very good where they came from and then you step up to the next level where you’re on the middle to low rung on the bar and you’ve got to fight for your spot again and figure it out.” 

Scuderi would figure it out during his four years wearing the maroon and gold. He would set an Eagles record of playing in 169 games during his four years, and capped his career as a member of the 2001 National Championship team. More than just his athletic accomplishments, Scuderi is also proud of the degree he earned in Business Administration. 

“When you first go to college, it’s exciting because you get a scholarship and there’s talk of the NHL draft, but you go there for an education, and that was the home run for me. That was first and foremost in my mind, because you can never count on hockey being a guarantee working out,” said Scuderi, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins after his freshman season. 

“To get my education was number one. And then number two, I couldn’t say even in my most selfish of hearts that I was ready for professional hockey. I needed the four years, and it worked out great that I stayed because I know that I needed it.” 

Looking back at his 12-year NHL career, it was the best decision he could have made as Scuderi would work his way to become one of the league’s premier shutdown defensemen. Along the way he would win two Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 2009 and the Los Angeles Kings in 2012. 

Since retiring in 2016, Scuderi has turned his attention to developing the next generation of players in his dual roles as a defensive development coach with the Nashville Predators and helping coach his son’s Bantam minor team with Nassau County Hockey. 

He is living proof that good things come to those who trust in the process and keep their eye on the bigger prize.

“Looking back in my own career, you don’t realize it because you’re the one that’s doing it,” he said. “But it was the extreme path less traveled.”