Feb. 27, 2008

Growing up in Sault Ste. Marie, it was only natural that Lake Superior State sophomore defenseman Steven Kaunisto played hockey as a kid. Even though he watched as many Laker games as possible, studying the team and trying to duplicate what he saw in his own practices, Kaunisto never actually dreamt of playing college hockey. In his own words, he talks about how everything changed and what it means for him to play for the team he has always loved.

Rethinking My Dreams
By Steven Kaunisto

Growing up in a small town with hockey rinks all over, hockey became not just a sport, but also a source of pride and history that not a lot of people are able to have. Living in the Soo all of my life, I watched the Lakers religiously, wanting to be like them when I got older.

I remember going to the games, staring in awe at what they were doing on the ice. I watched everything they did, trying to imitate them at my next practice. Going to those games was the highlight of my days. After the games that they won, I remember standing in the cold weather and watching the team ring that bell. All of the players were so nice and would always stop and sign an autograph for me.

Hockey has always been the main sport that I wanted to excel in. But I never had the dream of playing college hockey -- until my high school hockey career began. It was the last day of tryouts when the coach called me into his office and told me I had made the team. He then asked if I planned on doing anything else with hockey in my life. I said I didn't know how far I would be able to go with it. He looked at me and said he thought I had the ability to make it to a high level of hockey. This was when my mindset changed, and I decided I would do anything to make a college hockey team.

When I was finally approached by Lake Superior, the choice for me was effortless. I knew that I wanted to wear that jersey that I saw so much growing up. I just thought about watching the team, growing up and now being that player out on the ice. It was almost surreal for me.

Last year, winning our first game at home, I had a hard time thinking that I was going to be the person ringing the bell instead of the one watching. I remember being that little boy in the cold, waiting to be able to give the players high fives. So it made it that much more exciting for me to be running out and ringing that bell in front of so many people.

It was an accomplishment of mine being able to play for my hometown team. I am trying to have a big impact on the youth hockey players, just like the players of the past did for me. Without my high school coach telling me I would be able to make it and without the support of the small town that I live in, I don't think that I would have been able to make it to the position I am in today.