Billy Sweezey: Wicked Smart, Wicked Tough

CLEVELAND – Since joining the Cleveland Monsters during the 2021-22 season, defender Billy Sweezey has become a staple on the blue line and a leader in the locker room. Sweezey’s ability to rally the troops and lead by example earned him the role of alternate captain for the 2022-23 season. High energy paired with perfectly timed heavy hits makes Sweezey a threat to every opponent the Monsters play. Plus, he’s not afraid to get into a kerfuffle to defend the honor of his teammates. 

"I am tired of you, Kirill" – Billy Sweezey, probably#CLEMonsters #GoGRG @FPC_AHL pic.twitter.com/5vIwzgAexX

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Not only is Sweezey a tough guy, he is also a smart guy. While attending Yale University, Sweezey majored in Biomedical Engineering.

I sat down with Sweezey to discuss things like being alternate captain for the Monsters and how a time consuming major helped him with time management. 

Full Press Hockey: You made your NHL debut with the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 26 — so, just a few weeks ago. How was that experience for you? 

Billy Sweezey: It was a great experience for me to get my first game. Being able to share it with my dad was also awesome. Going up and being able to see him after was just great. 

FPH: What has it been like for you being an alternate captain as a newer guy in the league?

BS: Yea, I was still pretty inexperienced coming into the league and to get that confidence from the coaching staff and my teammates was obviously a huge honor. I’ve kind of been learning on the job a little bit, but I think it’s been great. It’s something I take seriously and I’ve been talking to Vogelhuber about since the beginning of the year. 

I just try to lead by example and bring a good work ethic every day and try to rally the guys a little bit. 

FPH: What are some of the challenges the defense had to face this season?

BS: There’s been a lot of injury in the organization. Just the changing face of the d-core has been a big challenge for us. I think it’s just really being ready — that next man up mentality. I think guys have taken it in stride and really enjoyed the process a little bit. I know it’s tough if you’re going in and out or guys are going up and down, but I think guys have embraced it and we’ve been battling with it. 

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FPH: Now, you were a Biomedical Engineering major at Yale University. How did you decide on that major?  

BS : I always was a big science and math guy. I always loved it. I went into school and didn’t know what I wanted to do. It was actually two of my teammates whose whole family are mechanical engineers and they decided to pursue that after freshman year. I kind of talked to them and was like, ‘I might want to do some sort of biology or engineering or something.’

It was nice. They kind of carried me along and so I was like, ‘All right, I’ll do it with you guys.’ So, we were able to take a lot of classes together, which obviously helped because those were tough. I mean, a lot of long nights for sure. A couple of all-nighters before games getting homework and assignments in. I loved it. It fascinates me. It was fun. 

FPH : How were you able to balance the Biomedical Engineering workload with playing hockey in college? 

BS : It’s obviously tough at a place like Yale, right? In that first year, you have to set a foundation, especially not being in school for a year and playing in the USHL, you have to just manage your time. That was something I learned early because it was definitely piling up and it was tough. But just knowing when I have the time I have to get this done and being able to kind of lock yourself in the library and bear down and kind of do it. So when you are at the rink you can focus on hockey, and when you’re doing schoolwork you can focus on school.

FPH : Do you think that helped you in the pros to be able to have that time management skill?

BS : Absolutely. It’s a lot of free time here. You’re out of the rink at noon, one o’clock you’re home. I think learning how to manage your time and focus on what you’re doing — not to use a cliche — but being present, being in the moment is really important for being pro. 

FPH : Why did you decide to go pro instead of pursuing a career in Biomedical Engineering? 

BS: Hockey has always been my first love. Both my parents played in college. I’ve been skating since I was three. My brother played a little bit. It was just a really big part of my life. I never knew if I was going to get the opportunity. I was lucky enough that it came along. I felt like I owed it to myself, my family, and everybody to give it a shot. 

FPH : Seems like it worked out for you.

BS : Yea, yea it’s going well. I’m having fun.