By David Slifka

The rivalry between St. John’s and the St. Thomas is well known amongst the student bodies at both colleges. A player crossing the rivalry from one school to the other rivaled school is a rarity, but for junior Clayton Rehm, the change of scenery hasn’t affected him too much.

“The rivalry was already established,” Rehm said. “I had played for a few different teams so it didn’t affect me too much.”

Growing up in Park Rapids, Rehm had instilled in him the small town virtues.

“I grew up on a farm,” Rehm said. “It was just a really small, laid back town.”

At the age of 16, Rehm joined the Junior hockey team in Billings for two years and then the Bismark team for another two years.

“Those years were awesome,” Rehm said. “I learned a lot of life lessons and got to experience a lot of things.”

Being able to play in Junior hockey allowed Rehm to develop as a hockey player.

“We recruited him pretty heavily,” Coach John Harrington said. “I really liked him and what he did when he was playing juniors.”

After Junior hockey Rehm passed up offers from St. John’s and decided to go to St. Thomas, but last year transferred to St. John’s.

“I didn’t like the city,” Rehm said. “I’m a country boy and St. John’s offered a better fit for me.”

Having a Tommie come onto the team wasn’t a problem for the Johnnies.

“We kind of knew him from before when he visited,” senior Pat Eagles said. “We welcomed him though, he didn’t have anything to prove to us.”

The transition for Rehm hasn’t seemed to affect him or his new team.

“Everyone has their own role on the team,” said sophomore Gabriel Harren,.”Clay(ton) has been able to fit in really well.”

Although last year was the first year that Clayton was on the roster for St. John’s, he had an ankle injury that put him out for the second half of last year’s season.

This year, however, Rehm has developed into his position, moving from a defenseman to a forward.

“He’s a crafty player,” said Harrington. “Our game is successful from his help in developing plays.”

Part of Rehm’s playmaking comes from the on-ice play he has with fellow teammate Harren.

“They are able to find each other on the ice,” said Eagles,. “They have a good chemistry and are able to adjust their play to each other.”

“We compliment each other,” said Harren. “I’m able to have much more confidence that when I hit a gap he’ll be able to get the puck to me.”

The chemistry between Rehm and Harren have helped the Johnnies as the two lead in points and goals respectively. This success on the team is also able to develop the younger players.

“Our younger guys look up to Clayton,” said Eagles. “It’s really nice to have a lot of leaders on the team.”

“When Clayton talks everyone listens, they know that he has something important to say,” Harren said.

Rehm sees his success and leadership humbly.

“It’s something that’s just instilled in me,” said Rehm,. “It just kind of happens.”

For the Johnnies, they’ll accept the ex-Tommie. Rehm has been a welcomed addition to the young squad who are finding themselves to become a tight knit, successful team.

Filed under: Johnnies by Tan Tuohy