Hochman: UMass hockey national champion Farmer, a St. Louis native, leaves impression on Tkachuk

Farmer left St. Louis to play junior hockey in the United States Hockey League. It was a long journey — and a long way from home, playing in Ohio and North Dakota. Ultimately, the growing hockey player was recruited to help grow a college program.

“I picked UMass in the first place just because of the culture and the coaching staff,” said Farmer, who joined USHL teammate Marc Del Gaizo in Massachusetts. “I knew they had this culture that was very empowering around the rink, and it has everybody really on board to take care of the next goal — and keep pushing everyone in the group.”

Farmer’s freshman year was coach Carvel’s third at UMass.

With a failsafe core — and college hockey’s best player, Cale Makar — the team made it to the title game in the Frozen Four. But lost.

In Farmer’s sophomore year, the pandemic forced the cancelation of the NCAA Tournament.

And then, in Farmer’s junior year, UMass won the whole damn thing.

“I’m happy for the kid,” Tkachuk said. “I root for St. Louis kids. We’ve been through this Triple-A program, and a lot of these kids, including Ty, have worked their tails off in youth hockey to get to junior and then eventually get a chance to play college. And he was a big part of that (UMass) team.”