By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

Tate Cogliano is not only a top-notch three-sport athlete at Natick High, but he’s also a dynamic ambassador for his school and community.

The 5-foot-6 senior, who was a captain in golf during the fall, now is gearing up for his fourth and final varsity season of hockey where he’ll be counted on to play a major role for the Redhawks as they aim to improve on last year’s 8-11-2 record. A dynamic defenseman who’s also a captain, Cogliano is optimistic that NHS will qualify again for the state tourney after losing in the opening round to Catholic Memorial last year.

The 18-year-old Cogliano, who’s also a defensive midfielder in lacrosse, doesn’t limit his activities to athletics. He’s more. Much more.

Cogliano is a National Honor Society student who’s president of the NHS Mentorship Program. “We help incoming freshman with their transition from middle school to high school,’’ he said.

Cogliano, who began playing hockey at age five in the Natick Comets instructional program, helped form the Junior Redhawks. “The three hockey captains this season started a hockey clinic for younger skaters,’’ Cogliano noted. “It’s run by varsity players and it aims to bring the Comets organization and Natick High hockey closer. I love Natick and this is a way to give back to the community.’’

Natick’s hockey coach, Karl Infanger, admires Cogliano’s versatile leadership style. 

“He’s the first player to arrive at practice and the last to leave,’’ Infanger said. “He’s a true leader, always making sure his teammates are focused and motivated. He relies on tenacity, a high hockey IQ, sharp instincts, toughness, speed and quickness. He was instrumental last year, helping me establish my system in my first year back as the Redhawks’ coach.

Infanger previously was Natick’s head coach for five years but left for family reasons. His son and daughter were starting to play high school hockey, so he became head coach of Medway High’s girls squad for five years. 

Now in his second year at NHS, Infanger is pleased to have Cogliano on board for one more season. “He was a top-notch defenseman last year and now, as a captain, he leads by example and by being vocal,’’ Infanger emphasized. 

An effective passer, Cogliano is small but he’s physical, especially in the corners where he usually wins control of the puck.

“I’m a defensive defenseman,’’ he said. “I like an up-tempo attack and I’m aggressive when moving the puck. I enjoy playing defense because it’s defense that’s significant and wins games. The prime attributes for success on defense are mental toughness and intelligence.’’

Cogliano is goal-oriented and his team objectives this season will be challenging to achieve.

“I want us to win the Carey Division of the Bay State Conference,’’ he said. “I also want us to qualify for the tourney, get a home game and advance as far as possible. I also want to end elimination in the first round. On a personal level, my goals are to contribute more on offense, be a league all-star, be the best captain I can be and make an impact on the program.

“All these goals are realistic because we’re a talented and experienced team that’s got eight players back, five of whom are defensemen. Last year, five of our 10 regular-season losses were by one goal.’’

Natick will open its season on Dec. 18 against Framingham at Chase Arena.

Cogliano firmly believes that Natick’s other two senior captains will be prime-time contributors. They include center Sam Hubbard and wing/center Alex Peck.

“Sam is a great athlete who also was a captain in football,’’ Cogliano said. “He led the team in goals as a freshman. A tremendous offensive player, his teammates all respect him. Alex is a captain in lacrosse who’s a capable two-dimensional player (offense and defense) in hockey. A leader by example, he connects with younger players.’’

A fan of Infanger’s, Cogliano admires his coach’s knowledge of hockey and his ability to motivate players. “Coach Infanger knows strategy and he knows how to get the best efforts from his players,’’ Cogliano offered.

During his sophomore season, Cogliano had the best game of his career. “We were playing Falmouth and the game was tied in the third period,’’ he recalled. “It was a dogfight. We scored, then got an empty-net goal for a 6-4 win. I had a good effort, blocking seven shots and assisting on a goal.’’

His top thrill in hockey was a home-ice victory over arch-rival Framingham last year. “It’s always a high-intensity game when we face our top rival,’’ Cogliano said. “Great hockey is played and the environment is always tense. We were ahead, 2-1, then got an empty-net goal for a 3-1 victory. It’s always fun to beat Framingham.’’

A native of Natick, Cogliano plans on majoring in business in college after graduation. “I’m considering about a half-dozen colleges,’’ he said. “It’s not likely that I’ll play sports at the collegiate level.’’

Calling his parents (Lisa and David) role models for their support and encouragement, Cogliano relies on a competitive philosophy of winning, reaching his potential and having fun. “If every player is striving to reach his potential, then winning will follow and that creates fun and enjoyment,’’ he emphasized.

Life lesson can be learned from athletics and Cogliano agrees. “I’ve learned how to overcome adversity and be resilient, how to lead and be a quality teammate, how to manage my time and to be accountable,’’ he noted.

Cogliano has a favorite pro hockey player and it’s not surprising that it’s retired Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron. “He was a dynamic leader and a classy competitor,’’ Cogliano noted.

The same can be said of Cogliano. He, too, is classy and a top-notch leader.  

Versatile and dedicated to athletics, Tate Cogliano is also the total package — an honor student who’s a dynamic ambassador for his school and his community.