Quinnipiac defenseman Elliott Groenewold has flown under the radar despite conference awards and a +39 rating, leaving him poised for a breakout 2026-27.
Unsung heroes aren't flashy. They often don't appear on many highlight reels or make mind-boggling plays with the puck. Rather, he is a glue guy that helps elevate the players around him while coming in clutch. Quinnipiac defenseman Elliott Groenewold fits this mold to a tee.
The Boston Bruins 2024 4th Round Selection is entering his junior year at Quinnipiac. Groenewold has not missed a game in two season skating in all 78 games since his arrival in 2024 from the USHL's Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
He made huge strides during a remarkable 2025-26 campaign. Groenewold led the nation with a +39 rating in 40 games, at least 9 better than each of the three 2026 Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalists. Additionally, the Vermont native was Quinnipiac's highest scoring defenseman, notching 20 points (6 goals + 17 assists). Half of those six tallies were game winners.
Despite some late season hiccups Bobcats' Head Coach Rand Pecknold spoke highly of Groenewold to Q30TV's Ava Heaton.
"In terms of Elliott, I'm not gonna lie, he struggled a bit the last month of the year," Pecknold said. "He was trying to overthink things a little bit. He's a great kid. He is going to play in the NHL one day. I don't know when, but he will.''
That cerebral style is still being molded by Groenewold's boyhood team. Groenewold told WTNH 8 that Bruins come to Quinnipiac once a month to talk after games and review video, adding that it is "great to hear different perspectives to help my development to the next level."
Pecknold also highlighted how the blueliner has risen as a leader off the ice saying he was "thrilled with him.” Groenewold has a history of leadership going back to junior hockey. Longtime RoughRiders Head Coach Mark Carlson called Groenewold "tremendous both on and off the ice."
Back in the present, Pecknold expanded on Groenewold's abilities saying, "He’s an incredible athlete, like he is an athlete. He can skate, he’s physical, he wins battles and the rest of that, the hockey IQ is just developing from there.”
Slowly but surely, Groenewold is getting recognition. His then +38 was the second-highest of any NCAA skater since 2002-03, which helped Groenewold earn unanimous All-ECAC First Team Defenseman honors. Groenewold was also named the 2026 Howie's Best Defensive Defenseman.
What interests me the most going into 2026-27 is Groenewold's offense. He significantly increased his production from his freshman to sophomore years going from 12 points (4 goals + 12 assists) to the 20 points 6 goals + 17 assists) he earned last season.
However, Groenewold understands what his primary objective is. “I’m a defenseman and that’s my job to play defense first,” Groenewold said to WTNH 8. “And when I can jump up in the rush and get shots from the point, if they happen to go in or hit something and go in, that’s awesome. I love contributing that way as well.”
Groenewold's trajectory has great promise on both sides of the puck. If it continues trending upward in the fall, this Bobcat hero might not remain unsung for much longer.
