Nov. 15, 2006

A Part of the Team
By Josh Hatinger

It has been a life-long dream of mine to wear a Northern Michigan jersey. I grew up within 15 miles of the school in Negaunee, Mich., and attended every home game as a kid. As I watched my hockey idols, I always hoped to wear the green and gold jersey I feel so privileged to wear today. It's a real honor and something I embrace with pride.

Coming to the rink everyday isn't as hard as people might think it would be for a third-string goalie, also known as someone who doesn't play. All of the guys on the team treat me just the same as if I were the starter. Throughout the years, I have developed friendships and good relationships with the staff here and consider the time we spend off the ice to be my most memorable moments while Northern Michigan. I know where I fit in on the team. My role doesn't change and I like that. Playing time isn't a concern for me at this point in my life as I have different goals than most guys on the team. I know this is my last year playing hockey and I am enjoying every minute of it this season.

I will graduate after this season with an Accounting and CIS degree from Northern Michigan. Although I have hopes of becoming a certified public accountant, I am hoping to pursue a career in refereeing hockey too.

I began officiating when I was 14 years old in bantams as a way to make some extra money. Currently, I am part of USA Hockey's junior officiating program thanks to the NMU coaching staff. John Olver called Scott Brand to get me into the Junior reffing program and Walt Kyle has been helpful in allowing me to ref during the season. Sometimes on game days I miss a pre-game skate or different things and they have no problem with that. I believe the program will help me become a better official and hopefully allow me to work games professionally. Since the CCHA only allows 22 players to travel on the road, I am available to work games as an official for numerous leagues such as the United States Hockey League, North American Hockey League, Central States Hockey League and the Central States Collegiate Hockey League. This is my first year in the program but I have reffed quite a few games so far this year and am having a blast. Realistically, I want to work games at a professional level, but my long-term goal is to one day referee a game in the National Hockey League.

I consider myself lucky to be where I am at today. I spent my first full-year of college going to school full-time, refereeing games in Marquette and Negaunee and driving a Zamboni. Being away from hockey for a year really made me appreciate what I had been a part of while growing up. I really missed being part of a team and being in the locker room everyday and hanging out before practice. You really develop some firm friendships in the locker room. Although I missed hockey, I got to see what my life was like without it. I got a chance to do many things that normally I didn't have time to do during the season such as snowmobiling.

It doesn't matter how good of a hockey player you are because at some point you are going to be done playing. I think I was very lucky to get a second kick at the bucket to be a hockey player and I am going to appreciate things that players won't think about until years after they are done playing.

Being a part of Northern Michigan's hockey team has brought me into a whole new world and connected me with many different people. I am very grateful for this experience and I know that, even though this season will be over soon, it will be a big influence on my future no matter where I end up.