Kate Holmes’ scoring prowess goes further than Massachusetts

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Kate Holmes’ success never stemmed far from her home in Norfolk, Mass.

Growing up, Holmes and her older brother, Patrick, trained on a frozen pond within walking distance of their home. Holmes became a top player 90 minutes away at The Williston Northampton School (Mass.) before playing a key two-way role even closer to home at Northeastern for four seasons.

For her graduate season, Holmes transferred to Syracuse, nearly five hours and 300 miles from Norfolk. It was the first time Holmes played for a team outside of Massachusetts.

“Kate wanted a change of scenery, to get away from home for a little bit,” Northeastern head coach Dave Flint said. “But also, she could have a bigger role in Syracuse.”

The move has helped Holmes thrive as she leads the Orange with 14 points. Through 20 games, the forward also leads Syracuse in goals (five) and assists (nine), notching career-highs in both categories. Holmes has four multi-point games this season, including a goal and assist in a 3-2 win against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Oct. 14.

As a freshman at Northeastern, Holmes registered 14 points but recorded just eight over the next three seasons. At Syracuse, Holmes found her scoring touch again. Her resurgence hasn’t surprised Flint.

“(Holmes) is sneaky good in that she’s always around the puck and she’s always around the net,” Flint said. “(The puck) finds its way on her stick and she has good instincts around the net.”

Before her collegiate career, Holmes emerged as a playmaker with Williston. Tallying 107 points at the school, she became one of seven players in program history to score 100 points. As a senior, Holmes helped the Wildcats secure the top seed in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Division 1 Tournament by recording 39 points.

Despite losing in the quarterfinals, Holmes earned First Team All-NEPSAC All-Star honors and was named the Wildcats’ MVP.

Standing at 5-foot-2, Holmes was often among the shortest on her teams, but her height didn’t hinder her. Holmes used her frame to protect the puck and used angles to her advantage, Williston head coach Christa Talbot Syfu said.

“(Holmes) has a knack for the net,” Talbot Syfu said. “She plays a 200-foot game and she plays really tough, she doesn’t want to lose a battle.”

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Holmes carried her scoring prowess to Northeastern, specializing in opportunities in front of the net, said Katie Cipra, who played with Holmes at the university.

Holmes’ skills expanded to the defensive end too. Throughout her junior and senior seasons in high school, Talbot Syfu utilized Holmes during penalty kills.

“There were times where we needed her to play some defense, whether that was in five-on-five or special teams,” Talbot Syfu said. “She saw the ice so well, you could put (Kate) in those situations and she would be successful.”

Holmes led Williston to a Winchendon School Invitational Tournament Championship all four seasons, including a runner-up finish in the 2018 NEPSAC Division 1 Tournament. After her stout high school career, Flint recruited Holmes to play at Northeastern.

Despite a strong freshman campaign, Holmes found herself on the third and fourth lines as a sophomore. Focusing on defense, Holmes was quick to get back and often jumped passing lanes, Cipra said.

“(Holmes) got in dirty areas, below the goal line or behind the net and picked up sticks,” Cipra said. “She makes sure she has her guy so that she can get (the puck) out.”

With Northeastern’s first line carrying the bulk of its scoring, Holmes’ defense was crucial to the Huskies’ success, Flint said. The Huskies won the Hockey East each year with Holmes on their roster, including three straight appearances in the Frozen Four. As a sophomore, Holmes tallied three goals and one assist, but Flint praised Holmes’ forechecking. Northeastern finished the season as the runner-up in the NCAA Tournament.

“(Holmes) was someone the coaches could count on for goals when we needed it but off the ice she could always put a smile on your face,” Cipra said. “She made everyone laugh when we were down a goal or needed an energy boost.”

When Holmes transferred to Syracuse, the team she scored her first collegiate goal against on Oct. 12, 2019, she made an instant impact.

“I wanted a new experience and new opportunity to earn ice time and show what I’m capable of doing,” Holmes said. “Syracuse was the right place.”

At SU, Holmes is playing some of the best hockey of her career. From Nov. 17 against Lindenwood to Nov. 21 against Clarkson, Holmes recorded five points in three games — more points than she registered in her final season with the Huskies (two).

With Syracuse, Holmes has returned to the scoring prowess she had at Williston, converting rebounds and taking shots when given the opportunity.

“(Holmes) really stepped up (scoring points),” Syracuse head coach Britni Smith said. “For her, it was coming from a program (Northeastern) that has had a lot of success and bringing those experiences and that knowledge of what it takes. We’re looking at her to really help our younger players along and help our culture.”