Player Rep Spotlight: Dominic Franco (Chicago Wolves)

Dominic Franco is the PHPA Player Representative for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL). A native of Scituate, Rhode Island, Dominic played four years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he served as an alternate captain during his senior season. Since turning pro in 2020, he has played over 150 professional games and established himself as a reliable forward both on and off the ice. Franco is a two-time AHL Man of the Year honoree, recognized for his exceptional commitment to community service.

How / why did you become a PHPA Player Representative and what are some of your roles and responsibilities?

I became a Player Rep because I feel it’s important for teams and the leagues to have players that care and act in the best interest of the players.

Why did you choose to attend Army West Point and what did you enjoy most about your time there?

I chose to attend West Point because of the development and opportunities that service academies and West Point provide. The challenges you face there are uncommon to collegiate athletes across the country. The leadership development and opportunity to associate yourself with the amazingly impressive people at West Point was something I could never have anticipated.

Can you share a defining moment from your Army experience that taught you a valuable life lesson?

I think one of my most challenging moments at West Point came during my summer training. After about 4 or 5 nights in the field doing roughly a 10-day field training exercise, heavy rain flooded all of our gear and made the night one of the coldest and longest of my life. Having to persevere and pick up to keep moving the next morning was one of the harder things I’ve had to do, but lessons like that are abundant during your 4 years at the academy and a large part of developing leaders.

Last season you were awarded with the Wolves’ Dan Snyder Man of the Year Award for your efforts in the community.  The year prior, you were the Charlotte Checkers AHL Man of the Year recipient.  What inspired you to get so involved in the community and what were some of your favourite initiatives?

I truly feel that as athletes, we have a real opportunity to inspire and interact with the communities and fans that support and make playing professional hockey so amazing. Being able to make a fan’s night at games that much better of an experience is something that holds a lot of value to me. We’re all lucky enough to have hockey serve as our profession, and a lot of people aren’t afforded the opportunity to live out their childhood dreams like us. We have the ability to be a bright spot in so many people’s lives, and that’s why I’ve loved engaging and interacting with the community in all the cities I’ve played in.

Who is the funniest teammate that you’ve played with throughout your pro career?

Anthony Bitetto was definitely the funniest player I’ve been on a team with.

Do you have any hockey superstitions? If so, what are they?

I am not very superstitious. The only routines I keep are just my gameday stretching and warm-up routines.

How is your shoulder injury progressing? What has been the most challenging part of the rehab process?

Obviously, it’s a long recovery, so progress takes time. So far everything is going well. I think the hardest part is just not being able to be in the room. Enduring the hard times and embracing the good ones are some of the best parts of playing hockey, but our team and staff have been great, making me feel as close to the ice as possible.

What’s your ideal way to unwind after a tough season or a long week?

I would say a round of golf, but not every city has warm weather in the winter, so otherwise I would say just a good movie.

What is 401 Hockey and what made you want to pursue this venture?

401 Hockey Development is a hockey school based out of Rhode Island that myself and Matt Fawcett started. Both being from the state and growing up playing in the same rinks, our goal was to try to revamp on-ice development for young players in the state. Working with young players and watching them fall in love with the game, put the work in to improve with us on the ice, and strive to reach goals like myself and Matty were fortunate enough to reach makes it so fulfilling.

What type of music do you enjoy listening to most and who are some of your favorite artists? 

I listen to just about all genres, but country is by far my favorite. Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers are two of my favorites.

If you’re cooking, what are you making?

I’d say my go to dish is a pesto chicken pasta.

What is your favorite part of playing professional hockey?

The “defining” wins, games where there’s a ton of adversity. Being able to pull together with your team and overcome obstacles is one of my favorite parts. No win feels better.