Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Two players on the KU club hockey team laced up their skates for the last time in last weekend’s home series against Iowa State University.
Of the nine seniors listed on the official roster, Nick Hantge, Hutchinson, Minn., and Ryne Tusten, Olathe, are the only two graduating at the end of the spring semester. Both players took part in the majority of the season’s games, contributing quality minutes for the team. Hantge was second on the team in points for the season, adding 15 goals to his 16 assists in just 25 games. Tusten did not record a goal all season, preferring to lead the team on defense instead. The two players helped the KU club hockey team to a 10-10-2 record against top-tier teams this season.
“I feel the team is headed nowhere but up,” Hantge said. “They should have a great group of guys back on the ice next year and our program has really taken off.”
In the last game of the season, KU took on Iowa State. The game was anything but close as the Jayhawks worked their way to a 9-2 victory. The bond between the players was apparent, as teammates laughed and smiled as everything went their way. The ease of the game allowed the players to relax and enjoy their last minutes on the ice. Team president Dan Guilfoil, Eden Prairie, Minn., senior graduates at the end of next fall. Guilfoil played all four years with the team, but is not sure he will be returning to the team next semester. The victory over Iowa State could very well have been his last as a Jayhawk also.
“It was kind of a scary experience,” Guilfoil said. “It still hasn’t really soaked in yet that it was the last time on the ice with this team.”
With the game in hand, ahead 9-1 before the end of the second period, the team continued to work hard. They played tough throughout the final period, only allowing a single goal. The team even threw in a crowd-pleasing fight. Coincidentally, it was the only time the team was beaten all day. When the final buzzer sounded, dropping the curtain on a hard-fought and rewarding season, the team skated onto the ice together for one more celebration.
“It means a lot to end it with such great friends,” Hantge said. “And I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
The team was noticeably drained from the efforts they put forth during the game. The mood of the players was a somber one.
“Everyone wanted to go out there and leave it all on the ice,” Guilfoil said. “Especially being the last game of the year and for some of us the last game ever.”
The future of the KU club hockey team is promising. Although potentially losing three talented players, the returning squad is very experienced, with six other seniors returning next year. In addition to the experience of the seniors, Guilfoil said the program would continue to develop in a positive way and maintain its winning tradition because of the talented youth.
As the graduating seniors look ahead to life after college hockey, they agree that they will never forget the experience.
“Hockey has really been more than just a game to me,” Hantge said. “The friends I have made along the way are irreplaceable and I will cherish the memories forever.”
Guilfoil agreed.
“I will miss every part of this team,” Guilfoil said.
— Edited by Patrick De Oliveira
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