I had the pleasure of interviewing 6 members of UR Men’s Ice Hockey. Last month, the team won the UNYCHL Men’s Championship game!!
Name: Matt Trombley
Class Year: 2017
Major: Business Management (B.S.)
Position: Team Manager
Name: Alex Herrmann
Class Year: 2016
Major: Chemical Engineering (B.S.)
Position: Center
Name: Patrick O’Sullivan
Class Year: 2018
Major: Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Position: Right Wing
Name: Ian Gabalski
Class Year: 2017
Major(s): Physics (B.S.) & Mathematics (B.A.)
Position: Right Wing
Name: Ben Abbatematteo
Class Year: 2017
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Position: Forward Center
Name: Nick Carrothers
Class Year: 2016
Major: Genetics
Position: Defense
From left to right: Ben Abbatematteo (’17), Nick Carrothers (’16 T5), Matt Trombley (’17), Alex Herrmann (’16), Patrick O’Sullivan (’18), Ian Gabalski (’17)
When did you guys first started playing hockey?
Matt: I started playing hockey when I was 5.
Alex: I started playing hockey around age 5 or 6.
Patrick: I started playing hockey when I was 12 years old.
Ian: I started playing hockey when I was 12 years old.
Ben: I started playing hockey when I was 8 years old.
Nick: I started playing hockey when I was 4 years old.
What sparked your guys’ interest in playing ice hockey in the first place?
Matt: My dad is from upstate New York. He’s the one who influenced me.
Alex: My mom is also from upstate New York. She’s from Fredonia. I’m a big Sabres Fan.
Patrick: I started out with roller hockey. My roller hockey coach also coaches ice hockey so that’s how I got into ice hockey.
Ian: I used to watch ice hockey on TV. I love the Sabres.
Ben: My parents love skating. It’s a family thing.
Nick: My older cousin used to play ice hockey so that’s how I got into ice hockey.
How long have each of you played on the U of R ice hockey team?
Matt: This is my first season managing the hockey team (Note: Matt is the team manager. He doesn’t play on the team.)
Alex: I started out my sophomore year. I’ve been playing on the team for 3 years now.
Patrick: I started out my freshman year. I’ve been playing on the team for 2 years now.
Ian: I started out my freshman year. I’ve been playing on the team for 3 years now.
Ben: I started out my freshman year. I’ve been playing on the team for 3 years now.
Nick: I started out my freshman year. I’ve been playing on the team for 5 years now. (Note: Nick’s a Take 5 student this year!)
Where was the championship game held?
Alex: We played at Bill Gray’s Regional iceplex at MCC
Who did you guys play against?
Ian: We played against Union College in the first game and Hamilton in the second game.
How did you guys prepare for this championship game?
Ben: We practiced Monday and Tuesday. Each practice lasted 1 ½ hours.
Ben in action!
How did you feel about winning? Was this your first time winning the championship?
Alex: Our first win was in 2014.
Ian: Although that was kind of like a fairy tale because we lost a lot of games in the first half.
Alex: Yeah, I think the team was a lot better this year. We only lost one game this season.
What’s next for the team? When does the new season start?
Ian: I would say we can focus more on other things now, like school.
Ben: Our first practice for next season starts mid-September.
Ian: And our first game usually starts around mid-October.
Fun fact about each of you?
Ian: I’m very good at playing piano.
Patrick: I play the drums.
Alex: I play the viola.
Matt: I coach the U-12 Boy soccer team.
Ben: I play the guitar.
UR Men’s Ice Hockey 2015-2016 members