By Anthony Candelaria
Contributing Writer
The St. Bonaventure men’s club hockey team looks to finish strong, playing its final game at home. But this game has a lot of meaning for the seniors on the team, according to senior forward John Rogers.
“(The game) means everything. Hockey is an addiction, and that is what has kept me playing all these years,” said Rogers. “The last competitive home game of my hockey career in front of my friends and family for one last time is going to be an experience I will never forget.”
Senior forward Andrew Chadwick is full of emotions entering his final collegiate home game.
“It’s sad, because I have been playing my whole life and four years at Bonaventure and it will be the last time I ever play at the Olean Rec Center or competitive hockey,” said Chadwick.
Captain defenseman Nate Parker said the first home game stands out in this season compared to all the rest.
The atmosphere was incredible, and it was the first time stepping on the ice to represent Bonas with all of the boys,” said Parker. “It was the start of, in my opinion, a fantastic final year of hockey.”
Parker isn’t the only one who mentioned that season opener. Chadwick and Rogers both said they have great memories of that game.
“My fondest memory is winning the season opener against Binghamton.” said Chadwick.
Rogers added, “My fondest memory would have to be the first game of the season as we won the home opener in front of a big crowd, many of which were my friends. As this game approaches Friday we look to fill the stands for senior night like we did the first game of the season.”
Parker said some of the key things he has learned over his four years at St. Bonaventure include how to manage time, how to be a leader, how to deal with adversity and how important it is to remember who and what you are representing.
Rogers said he was able to break down what he learned in one word: patience.
“Not every game has gone our way so it took patience to know when our time will come,” he said.
Rogers also said the seniors will be leaving behind more than just a legacy; they will be leaving behind teammates who they have made an impression on.
“Of course it gets frustrating at times when we are on the ice and losing, but everyone leaves those feelings on the ice.” Said Rogers “When it comes to off the ice I can honestly say this is the closest team I have been a part of here at Bonaventure.
Freshmen through seniors all get along, and there is no division between classes like there has been in the past.”
With this group of seniors leaving, the seniors had a couple words of advice for the juniors about to take their place.
“Keep moving forward. Keep improving where you need it,” said Parker. “I know we have gone through a lot of adversity and frustration, but look at where we were when you entered and where we are now; use it as motivation.”
Rogers added, “Live it up because these are the last competitive games of their lives.”
The Bonnies will enter playoffs during the week of spring break. Exact dates and times are still to be determined.
