By Devin Ditto
Every week, I sit down with one freshman varsity athlete to learn about their transition to collegiate sports. This week, I spoke with defenseman Brad Mueller on the Hockey Team.
How old were you when you started playing hockey?
I was four.
What sparked that initial interest in the sport?
My mom would take my brother and I to open skate before we were in school. That’s how I got on skates, and just fell in love with being on the ice. We’re not a hockey family at all, but my mom didn’t know what to do with my brother and [me], so she took us to the rink.
How has the transition from Junior hockey been for you?
It’s been good, Juniors is definitely one of the better experiences of my life without a doubt. Getting back into school is a little difficult, but if you focus it’s not too hard. It’s completely different, though. In Juniors, hockey is the top priority, but now as a college athlete, we have to figure out how to balance that with academics. You don’t have to worry about managing your time as much—it’s just a different lifestyle.
You guys just had two big wins against Concordia this past weekend. How does it feel to start out strong like that?
Awesome. We haven’t beaten them in two years so it definitely sets the tone for the rest of the year. It helps get us in the direction that we’re trying to go.
You guys have mentors on the team. How has your mentor helped with the transition process from juniors into college?
Kevin has helped in knowing what to expect out of the Lawrence hockey program, and what is expected of everybody on the team. He’s a good presence on campus, so it helps with meeting people and getting better acquainted with people on campus.