From Maryland to Estonia: River Yearwood's Icy Journey to Pro Hockey
A Young Dream Ignited
Imagine a young boy, brimming with energy and fueled by dreams, taking his first steps onto an ice rink. This is the scene that paints the beginning of River Yearwood’s hockey journey — beginning not in an arena echoing professional prowess, but at a humble outdoor rink in Washington, D.C. It was there, at a friend’s birthday party, that Yearwood first laced up a pair of skates. The moment was pivotal: it lit a fire within him that would guide an incredible journey from the bustling cityscapes of Baltimore to the snowy terrains of Estonia. “Once I picked up that stick for the first time, I couldn’t do anything else,” Yearwood recalls.
Beginnings in Baltimore
His father, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., initially skeptical of his son’s newfound hobby, soon realized that his boy had found something special. Observing from the sidelines as young Yearwood glided over the ice, Rev. Yearwood was filled with awe. This newfound passion saw Yearwood join the Capitals’ “learn to play” program, and he quickly became a familiar face there.
Mentored by a Legend
At the heart of his development, William Yearwood found an encouraging mentor in Craig Laughlin, a former NHL player and broadcast color analyst for the Washington Capitals. Laughlin saw raw talent in Yearwood that needed refinement. Under Laughlin’s rigorous yet nurturing guidance, River honed his skills every summer, earning him the endearing nickname “Riverboat” for his wide skating turns.
“He showed up every day, no matter what,” Laughlin reminisces. “His passion for the game was unmatched.”
From Club Hockey to Professional Dreams
The boy from Baltimore grew into a formidable player, eventually joining Paul Smith’s College in New York, where he honed his skills in collegiate hockey. Standing tall at 6-foot-3 and weighing 240 pounds, his coaches admired not just his physical presence but his acute game sense.
Upon graduation, as doors opened in unexpected directions, it was the offer from a professional team in Estonia that caught Yearwood’s imagination. “When the offer came, Estonia it is,” he decided, with determination and excitement gleaming brightly.
Adapting to a New Ice
Yearwood’s leap to the professional stage wasn’t without its challenges. Playing for Viru Sputnik in Estonia’s Unibet Hokiliiga, he faced the dual challenge of a language barrier and a larger ice surface — a common hurdle for North American players transitioning to European leagues. “Defensively, you really got to think, because there’s time you can make that extra pass,” Yearwood explains.
More Than Just a Game
The influence of hockey stretched beyond just River’s life, impacting his father, Rev. Yearwood, and his perception of the sport. With newfound admiration, Rev. Yearwood embraced the unity and inclusivity hockey brought, witnessing firsthand its power to transcend cultural and racial divides. “It’s fast. It’s exciting. It’s truly just non-stop action,” he shares, underscoring a sense of community that he never expected to find in ice hockey.
What Lies Ahead
Where will River Yearwood’s journey ultimately lead? While that chapter remains unwritten, one thing is indisputable: his commitment to the sport is steadfast. Inspired by his mentor’s advice, he aims to push his career boundaries and see how far the road ahead stretches.
Yearwood, the ambitious player from Maryland, has not only charted an extraordinary path but also left an indelible mark wherever the ice takes him. According to NHL.com, such stories continue to inspire not only aspiring athletes but resonate well beyond the rink, reinforcing the spirit of perseverance and cultural harmony through the love of the game.
