I've been a hockey player since I was 5-years-old.  I’ve always loved the game and played it whenever and wherever I could. It is my favorite sport and I watch it all the time on television. Once college started, I was sure my hockey playing days were over. Keuka College does not have a hockey team and after awhile, I grew accustomed to the fact that hockey, for me, was in the past.

That was until last semester when two students attempted to start an ice hockey club.  I was on board immediately. Nick Salemi and Scott Smith sent out e-mails to any prospective players in hopes of creating interest. The first interest meeting did not turn out well and aside from myself, Salemi and Smith, only one other person showed. So far, not so good.

The second interest meeting came and went without any strides as well; only one more person showed up. We were pretty much convinced that this hockey club idea was not going to work out. In one last effort to get a club started, there was one last meeting.  I guess the third time really is the charm because 17 people showed up to the meeting, including two women.

We were one step closer to having a real hockey club on the Keuka College campus. In order for a club to even be considered, it must have a constitution, a certain amount of members (14), perform a community service, fund-raiser, and campus-wide event. The hockey club had most of those things covered. After a few meetings with Student Senate, we were granted club status and even given a certain amount in our budget.

The wheels were turning. Salemi and Smith started calling around to various ice rinks to find out if we could purchase ice time for practices and eventually games. Everyone on the team was excited for the opportunity to play hockey against other college club teams. Most of the players still owned equipment from their high school hockey days. This saved a lot of money, which was going to be used for ice time and referees during games. We also purchased our own jerseys and hockey socks at a low cost, thanks to one of our club officer's networks.

Finally, the team was allowed to practice at the Canandaigua Civic Center, but we could only get ice time at 10 p.m.  We didn't care; we just wanted to play hockey. Stepping on the ice for the first time was a bit unsettling.  I did not tell the team this until a few days before practice, but I had only one year of ice hockey experience under my belt.  For the most part, I was a roller hockey player.  Needless to say, I was nervous. However, I held my own pretty well, especially when you consider that I hadn't been on ice skates in about 10 years.  

After a number of practices, we scheduled our first game against Alfred State's club team. It was a great experience and we were in the game for a little while. Alfred scored a couple of lucky goals and we got tired in the third period; they had more players than we did, so we got winded a lot faster. We lost, 11-6, but for the most part, we were proud of the way we played, given that it was our first game ever.

Our next game was against LeMoyne College. After talking with Salemi and Smith, the coach understood our situation and was happy to help us in any way. It was a fun game, but as far as scoring goes, well, let's just say we stopped keeping score midway through the second period. LeMoyne is definitely ahead of us in terms of team development and talent, but it was a great learning experience.

It was hard finding colleges to play.  Our team had started up at a time when other teams were already in the middle of their seasons. So, for our last game of the semester, Salemi found a men's league team that agreed to play us. Men’s leagues tend to be more recreational so this game was not as intense as the others had been and that made it more fun. Something else that made it fun: I scored the first goal of the game; my first as a member of a college hockey team. It was an amazing feeling, but it happened so fast that I did not have time to celebrate.  

When you watch professionals on television, you always see these flashy celebrations. Some players dive on the ice, others pump their fists in jubilation, or put their hands up and yell.  I was so shocked that I had actually scored, that I just put my right arm up and skated slowly to the bench.

We ended up with a win in that game, 8-4. I added two assists to my goal. Everyone was glad with the way the short season had turned out, but we were saddened about something. No one was sure if the team or season would continue into next semester. About half of the team consisted of lacrosse players who would have to turn their full attention to their primary sport come spring.  So, how would we work around that?

It is now April and we are still working on a way to continue the season, even if it is just practices. The club held a new interest meeting earlier in the semester and enough people showed up to field a team, which was great news. One thing is certain: I will forever be able to say that I played college hockey.  It was a great experience and a great feeling, something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

And hopefully one day Keuka College will be able to look back and remember the first hockey players. We were the ones who got it all started and if the interest keeps up, maybe Keuka will be someday be able to boast an NCAA-certified ice hockey team.

-- Anthony Affissio '08