9... That's the number of Freshmen players the MSU Hockey team has on their roster for the 2009-2010 season. And one word can be used to describe them: family.
What's the difference from last year's squad you may ask?
Freshmen right-winger Zach Golembiewski said that this year's group of players is a lot closer. He said that they all have come together as one for team get-togethers and they are closer off of the ice.
The MSU ice hockey team has started the season 9-3-2 overall and 6-2-2-0 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Let me just say that's an improvement, to say the very least, from last years overall record of 10-23-5.
If you would have asked the players before the season if they thought they could be ranked, let alone 8th in the nation, especially in October, they probably would have said "no chance."
But, it's true.
The Spartans were ranked 6th this season until they recently lost two games to the currently ranked 14th Fighting Irish of Notre Dame this past weekend.
The Spartan icers have a National Championship on their mind and are looking to the promise land once again, just as in 2007 when they finished as National Champions.
Highlights of the 2007 National Championship Game
Golembiewski was asked why the team is so close this year. He quoted his favorite movie "Miracle" and said, "We care a hell of a lot more about the name on the front of the jersey then we do about the one on the back." He went on to say that "everything they do, they represent the Spartan name."
Just like every other ice hockey player that has made it to the next level of play, the Spartan nine had to adjust to the new level of skill as well as the challenges that college life present.
Freshmen left-winger, Dean Chelios said, that "everything was on a much smaller scale in high school."
According to the freshmen players, before going to play college hockey, nearly all players go on to play juniors somewhere. They said the three main leagues are the United States Hockey League, the North American Hockey League and the British Columbia Hockey League.
All of the freshmen on the MSU squad agreed that there is a considerable jump of ability and skill, as levels get higher: from high school, to juniors, to college. They all agreed that college life is a lot busier too.
