Athlete of the Week: Mike Montgomery
Samantha Lefebvre
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Sports
|
Major: Finance
Hometown: Lino Lakes, Minn.Hockey Position: Right Defense
In high school, most student athletes find that in order to play at the college level they have to work hard, put in the extra practice hours and have a deep love for the game they play. But what happens when you do all these things and you still don't get recognized by college coaches or scouts?
When confronted with this situation, junior Mike Montgomery went about the traditional student route and applied to the colleges that caught his interest. Already applied and accepted to the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) before graduating Centennial High School in 2005, Montgomery had by now accepted the fact that he would not be playing college hockey. But once coaches approached him, the idea of playing division one hockey for the UMD Bulldogs was too good to pass up.
"I was already going to come here anyway so when they came to talk to me it was just the perfect situation," Montgomery said.
First picking up a stick at the age of seven, Montgomery soon found a passion for the game he has been playing for 15 years running. He played other sports like football and baseball, but hockey remained the staple sport in his life. Montgomery's passion for hockey and drive to play for the Bulldogs was just enough to get him time on the ice, as well as the honor of being the team's alternate captain this season.
"Being out there with the guys is what makes it so fun to come out to practice every day. I enjoy the guys so much and just hockey itself. Also winning is obviously nice too," Montgomery said.
When it comes to pure passion and drive for excellence, playing the sport you love almost comes easily and without superstitious pregame rituals.
"I just go to pregame practice, and then we eat at the Black Woods. I also try to nap as long as possible," Montgomery said. "I'm not a very superstitious guy."
Montgomery's laid back personality allows his optimism to shine through. His views for his team for the rest of the season look nothing but bright to him.
"We definitely have better potential this year," Montgomery said. "And hopefully we can take that and go somewhere with it."
Be the first to comment on this story