Oswego’s Connor Gatto completes 100th game as Laker
On February 6th, against the Hobart Statesmen, senior forward Connor Gatto played in his 100th career game as an Oswego State Laker. Reflecting on his time with the program, Gatto described the experience as “unreal.”
“You know, I say these are the best years of your life, and that’s 100% true,” Gatto said. “These past four years have really flown by, and I’m just having the greatest time of my life, so I can’t complain at all.”
Head coach Ed Gosek credited Gatto’s steady approach and leadership as key to his impact on the program.
“Just consistent play, a 200-foot game. Quiet leader. Works extremely hard from day one as a freshman right up to this game,” Gosek said. “He gives you everything that he has in each and every game. Sometimes he’s really on and other nights maybe it’s a struggle, but he fights through it and leads by example.”
Gatto’s hockey career first gained real traction during the 2016–17 season with the Springfield Jr. Pics 16U AAA program, before he was elevated to the Islanders Hockey Club across the 16U, 18U, and NCDC levels. His breakout came in the 2019–20 NCDC season, where he posted 40 points in 49 games and earned an NCDC All-Star Game selection, which led to his selection in the 2020 NAHL Entry Draft by the Shreveport Mudbugs.
From 2020 to 2022, Gatto became a key piece of the Mudbugs’ lineup in the NAHL, immediately contributing to a Robertson Cup Championship in 2021. He followed that title run with a career-best 44-point season in 2021–22. Across two seasons in Shreveport, he totaled 71 regular-season points in 107 games, cementing his reputation as both a reliable offensive threat and a proven winner.
Since arriving at SUNY Oswego in 2022, Gatto has become a leader of the Lakers program. He credits much of his early development at Oswego to his former teammates.
“I’d probably say either of my old two linemates, Shane Bull or Tyler Flack,” Gatto said of those who influenced his journey. “I learned so much from them from freshman year and then playing with them again in sophomore year. Just learning how they go about things on the ice and off the ice really helped me get to Game 100.”
His role and influence increased each season, highlighted by a SUNYAC Championship in the 2024–25 campaign.
“The first two years we came so close and could never get it done, and then last year we finally got it done,” Gatto recalled. “So that was very rewarding and a very great feeling.”
Gosek said Gatto’s all-around reliability has made him especially valuable to the Lakers’ culture.
“He’s a great role model, especially for our younger players on how to play a 200-foot game — responsible defensively and creative offensively,” Gosek said. “He’s been a huge part of our program these past four years.”
Now in his senior season in early 2026, he has compiled 69 career NCAA points and recently earned a SUNY Oswego Athlete Award. Serving as an assistant captain, Gatto has embraced the leadership challenges that come with a changing roster.
“Taking it back to last year as my first year with a letter, we had 17 freshmen or new guys, so that was a little bit of an adjustment,” he noted. “But I think just coming together as a group and really being a team, I think that’s key to success.”
Gatto also highlighted his relationship with Captain Matt McQuade, whom he has played alongside since their first year.
“We both kind of clicked with all the other freshmen too. And now we’re all roommates, so it’s pretty nice living with him,” Gatto said. “I’ve also learned from him on a leadership basis. He’s been in a leadership role before, I haven’t. It’s definitely helped me get to where I am today.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming SUNYAC tournament, Gatto believes the Lakers are well-prepared to defend their title.