What We Love About College Hockey

We have a goal here. You leave with a diploma in one hand and a [NCAA championship] ring in the other hand. These guys all worked really hard at their degrees. We’re very proud, but I don’t know who to root for.

- BC head coach Jerry York, who has alums on three of the four remaining teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs

It was huge for my development and his as well. Everything BC offers, it turned me into a man for sure. I learned a lot aside from hockey, but the hockey turned me into a much better player as well.

The schedule we play and the guys we practice against every single day when you’re there and the way we played the game, it was very beneficial for me, and it shows with Chris as well. He’s come a long way since his freshman year.’

- New York Ranger Brian Boyle on his experience in college and how it helped both him and new teammate Chris Kreider

Playing here four years and being able to get my degree is something my parents and I have always wanted. My dad has said that he cannot believe it is happening, but it is going to be amazing. If hockey does not work out, it is great to know that I will have my degree to fall back on.

- Jake Hansen has had a busy spring, including a trip to the Frozen Four and his pro hockey debut, as he recalls in this interview.

It was a great experience and I learned a lot about myself as a person. I definitely developed my game further as a hockey player and was a big part in shaping where I’m at today.

- Minnesota alum Evan Kaufmann, now playing for the German national team, on his experience with the Golden Gophers.

It was three of the best years of my life. It was an amazing experience.

- Detroit Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist on his time at Maine.

My experience at Union College has been the best time of my life so far. Having the opportunity to play hockey at this level and work towards a degree from a very prestigious school like Union College is very special to me. I’ve developed some very strong relationships that will last a lifetime.

- Greg Coburn caught up with his hometown paper in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, to talk about his experience at Union.

We’ve always thought that education is important. The direction I guess I pushed the guys was that I said, ‘This is what’s available if you want to work towards it and get yourself an education, which is needed nowadays, and you get to do something that you like while you’re doing it.’

- Tom Zajac, the Denver alum who heads up what’s described as “the first family of Manitoba hockey.”

I’ve always been one of the younger guys as I played hockey and at BC. But as an upperclassman you have to be a leader, and I enjoyed the leadership aspect in pushing people to be better. Hockey wise, I think I’ve become better positionally. I’m stronger. I can separate bodies from the puck.

- Brian Dumoulin, preparing for his pro debut, talked about how his time at BC helped him improve his game