- The Record Archives
- Volume CXVIII, No. XX - November 10, 2005 - sports
Eagles soars for SJU hockey team
After a stellar first year, the forward aims for greater things
Staff writer
Adjusting to college life can be tough for any first-year. For an athlete, it can be especially difficult.
Besides the obvious changes like living away from home, sharing a tiny space with a complete stranger and staying on top of school work, athletes have additional pressures. What their role will be on the team? How will they size up to the competition? Will they fit in well with the team's chemistry?
For Pat Eagles, however, the pressures of college life didn't seem to affect his play for the St. John's hockey team.
As a first-year, he had an incredibly successful season. Despite his 5-foot-8, 160-pound frame, the Falcon Heights native made his presence known on the ice. In the 2004-05 season, Eagles tied for third on the team in total points and was named to the All-MIAC rookie team. He was also named all-conference honorable mention.
Senior captain Darryl Smoleroff knows the pressures first-year players face.
"It's an uphill battle," said Smoleroff, who played significantly well when he came in as a first-year. "As a freshman you want to contribute on the ice. There is pressure to make the first lines and to fit in. You have to be patient and you will eventually find your place."
On a team dominated by upperclassmen, the challenge to excel is even greater. Typically, the younger players don't get as much playing time. They don't play on the first few lines. They have to earn a spot on the team.
However, after the first few games last season, St. John's head coach John Harrington realized two things: Eagles was one of the leading scorers, and the older guys were asking to be out on the ice with him.
"There is no greater compliment for an athlete," Harrington said.
Smoleroff agrees.
"He's a great kid. He has good hands and makes plays," Smoleroff said. "People want to be on his line."
Before coming to St. John's, Eagles played NAHL junior hockey for Wichita Falls. He credits his year in the juniors for helping with his work ethic.
Harrington also believes that Eagles' experience in the NAHL made him the type of player who is easy to place in the line-up.
"He uses his body to protect the puck despite his size," Harrington said. "He sees a play and he immediately makes it. I wanted to put him in the line-up because I liked watching him play."
With a significant number of players graduating this year, there is no doubt that Eagles' role will only become more prominent in the following years.
"He's a quiet guy, but he leads by example," Harrington said. "He will be looked to in the future for his leadership."
As for his current role on this Johnnie team, Eagles hopes to continue developing as a player.
"I'm trying to improve on the little things," Eagles said.
He has high hopes and expectations for this season. The challenge seems to be "getting over the hump" in the playoffs.
"We want to win a national championship," Eagles said.