Robert Morris University-Springfield
Hockey Program

    Welcome back to another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! In this blog, you will have a special look at one of the best hockey programs I have ever had the pleasure of working with. They are truly heart felt about their program and they take exceptional care of their players. The boys on the team are as close as you can get in college hockey and they are there supporting each other 100% of the time. One example of this would be the actions the team took for assistant captain Adam Cheung. Adam was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer this year and the team was right beside him all the way. Right after his diagnosis, he received a picture of the team that showed all of the players had shaved their heads in support of their team mate. That is one of those things that these guys are all about. They have a strong appreciation for commitment, family values, and are a huge brotherhood. The program is definitely one of the top teams in the ACHA and all throughout college hockey in the USA to be honest.  I am so enthused that I was able to talk with goaltenders Trey Beuning, Drew Balcar, Coach Jeff Wear, and senior Tukker Gierach!  This is an absolutely fantastic college hockey program with some of the best values out of all the schools in the country. With out any further delays, here are the interviews!

(Credit to Robert Morris University-Springfield)

  The first player I will introduce you to will be senior defenseman #23 Tukker Gierach. Currently, he is the highest scoring defenseman on the team with 6 TPs. So far, his stats entail 0 goals in 13 games played, 6 assists, 6 TPs, and 12 PIMs. His statistics for the 2012-2013 were 5 goals in 20 games played, 9 assists, 14 TPs, and 22 PIMs. Tukker is 6 ft 4 in, and plays left defense. It was great to chat with Tukker because he was very helpful in collecting information about the team and his interview answers were fantastic. Without any more delays, here is Tukker's interview!

BB:  How has your hockey career been at Robert Morris University Springfield?

TG: My career has been very fun. We've had our ups and downs here at this campus but I'm just thankful that they gave me the chance to continue my hockey career into college.

BB: How does it feel to be the highest scoring defenseman?

TG: Honestly I hope it just sets an example, and strives other to work hard. But it does feel pretty good especially after all the hard work I put in the off season to came back in better shape this season.

BB: As a senior, what are you doing to influence the younger classmen?

TG: I constantly try to display the correct leadership on and off the ice for underclassmen. This consists of showing up on time to class and the rink, as well as getting homework done on time and always being courteous to teachers and fellow classmates. 

BB: Would you recommend this hockey program to potential players?

TG: Most definitely! Not only do you get to continue your hockey career while getting schooling paid for, but out coach has made this a pleasant last few years with the team while keeping it fun and competitive. Most schools in our division have to pay to play hockey at the college level. Here they give us a leadership grant and pay for our transportation, hotels, and our meals. So we do get a little better treatment than players at other schools.

BB: What has been your most memorable experience with the team?

TG: My most memorable experience would definitely have to be making the 2nd round of playoffs my freshman year with only 10 guys. It was a crazy experience especially being my first year of college hockey. Definitely a moment I won't forget.

BB: What are you plans (hockey wise) after college?

TG: Honestly, I just want to continue to spread my love of hockey to kids and adults wherever I end up living after college. If the chance surfaces to further my hockey career I would definitely take it though!

BB: What is your advice for any college/junior players?

TG: You are what you repeatedly do, therefore excellence is not an act but a habit. And don't take things for granted, you never know when they can be taken away from you.

BB: Have you learned anything from your career in college hockey, if so what?

TG: That life, just like hockey, is a game of mistakes, it's all about how you recover.

BB: What is the most important thing you will take away from RMU-S?

TG: The most important thing I will take away from RMU-S is my education along with all the friendships and networks I have gained from my years living here. 

BB: Was college hockey what you expected it to be?

TG: I believe every experience  is what you make of it, if you put forth minimal effort and don't try to enjoy it you won't have fun. But if you go out and laugh and give some chirps while popping some ginos you'll have a great experience. So I tried every year to make it the best experience ever and I feel that I've succeeded in making it what I wanted it to be.

Thank you so much Tukker! As you can see by Tukker's replies, he is a player that younger players should look up to. I think that he sets a great example for everyone on the team and is one of the players that is the glue of the team, keeping them together through thick and thin. Next we have Drew Balcar!

#23 Tukker Gierach (Credit to Robert Morris University-Springfield)

    Now we have starting goaltender #1 Drew Balcar! Drew is a sophomore goaltender is 6 ft 0 in and  shoots left. His stats from the 2012-2013 season were 5 games played, 241.58 minutes recorded, 3.48 goals against average, 47 shots on goal, 33 saves, and a .702 saver percentage. It was awesome chatting with Drew because he gave great insight and his answers were exactly what were needed to make this article great!

BB: How has your hockey career been at Robert Morris University Springfield?

DB: My hockey career has been a good experience, and a really fun time so far at Robert Morris University Springfield.
BB: How does it feel to be the starting goaltender in your sophomore year?

DB: It is an honor to be the starting goaltender my sophomore year, and also I feel very accomplished and excited to be the starting goaltender on this team.
BB: What have you learned so far from your college hockey experience?

DB: From my college hockey experience so far I have learned that nothing comes easy, and hard work really does pay off.
BB: Why would you recommend this college hockey program?

DB: I would recommend this college hockey program because we have an outstanding coach and we are surrounded by great people.
BB: What has been your most memorable experience with the team so far?

DB: I can't really decide a most memorable moment on this team because it seems every time we are together there is a new memory made that I will never forget.
BB: How are you going to prepare your game for your junior year?

DB: To prepare my game  for my junior year I am going to take the off season very serious and stay on the ice as much as possible and work harder than my opponents.
BB: Is there anything or any advice you would give to the incoming classmen?

DB: Advice I would give to the incoming class next year would be to work hard at the rink and work even harder in the classroom.
BB: What is the most important thing you will take away from your college hockey experience?

DB: The most important thing I will take away from my college experience is the work ethic that you have to have to be successful on the ice and in the classroom, and the life lessons learned through hockey.
BB: How will you help prepare the younger goaltenders next year?

DB: To prepare the younger goaltenders next year I will just try to be a leader and be supportive of them.
BB: Has college hockey been what you expected it to be?

DB: College hockey has been a lot more fun than I expected it to be, there is never a dull moment when we are at the rink. It has been a great experience so far and I am already looking forward to the years to come.

Thank you very much Drew! Drew's answers were spot on and really showed that to have a successful career on the ice, you have to have an even stronger one out of the rink. In my opinion, Drew is one of those players constantly wanting to improve his game and pushing every body forward as well. The next interview we will have will be Coach Wear's!

#1 Drew Balcar (Credit to Robert Morris University-Springfield)

  Coach Wear previously coached 4 seasons at Lindenwood Unviversity and played college hockey at Lindenwood University and the University of Missouri - St. Louis. His accomplishments include 4 ACHA Central Regional appearances, 2 ACHA National Championship Appearances, 80-28-9 record in 4 seasons, and 2009 ACHA Central Region Coach of the Year. I thought it was very exciting to get the coach's perspective on the team because ultimately he knows it the best! Here is Coach Wear's interview!

BB: How has it been coaching at Robert Morris University Springfield?

CW: Challenging and exciting. Anytime you get the opportunity to take over a new program you run into a variety of hurdles to get things rolling. Luckily, I have a supportive University and a locker room full of outstanding students athletes that make coming to the rink everyday a blast. 

BB: Why would you recommend a player join the RMU-S?

CW: RMU-S as a University promotes the family atmosphere. The campus is small and intimate with the opportunity to develop one on one relationships with your professors/faculty over time. Our faculty are all business professionals geared towards getting you ready for the real post college experience, not just earning a piece of paper. The University takes great care of it's athletes. For example, the hockey program is 100% funded which means that RMU covers ice time, travel, jerseys, and even provides equipment such as gloves, pants, and helmets.
BB: What do you think of your team so far this year?

CW: I am very proud of our team so far. In September, one of our assistant captains was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and the boys have rallied around him and show up to the rink everyday with an extra chip on their shoulder. We had one of the toughest schedules the 1st 2 months of the season and while the W/L record might not be exactly where we would like, the team did show vast improvements game in and game out against some of the best in the country.
BB: Is there anything you are going to change so far for next season?

CW: The biggest benefit will be having a full year at the University under my belt to learn about the strengths of the program along with making a full pitch during the recruiting season.
BB: Are there any special skills or ways of thinking you teach your players?

CW: The biggest obstacle for coaching at the college club level is motivation. 99% of the players at this level know that this is the end of the road and it is up to the coach to keep players motivated to playing the game the right way and performing to the university's expectations on and off the ice. I try to promote a "business casual" atmosphere in our program. There's a professional fundamental structure that we make everyone adhere to along with creating that element of fun and challenge that keep the athletes wanting to come to the rink every day.
BB: What do you think of your seniors this year?

CW: My seniors have been everything as advertised and then some. We only have 3 seniors, but the heart and leadership that these men provide each day is going to be irreplaceable. I wish I could have them around another year.
BB: Do you think the sophomores/freshman are holding their own so far?

CW: The youth of this team is exciting.  All of our freshman/sophomores are logging quality minutes and the improvement week by week is a glaring plus.
BB: Are there any surprises we are going to see for next season?

CW: We are still working on a few internal surprises. But the biggest surprise is going to be that this team WILL be a threat at regionals next years.
BB: What has been your most memorable experience with team so far?

CW: Showing up to the after learning of our player's cancer diagnosis to a lock room full of shave heads. The boys took it upon themselves to show support and wanted to be there for him throughout  his battle. Unity like that trumps any victory on the ice.
BB: Is there anything you would like the public to know about the team, program, etc.?

CW: Joining a program like RMU-S not only puts you in position for a world class education, but gives young men a chance to play competitive hockey at the collegiate level. This is a program on the rise and it's a terrific opportunity for hockey players to play against great competition and play at different campuses across the country.

Thank you very much Coach Wear! His answers were cleverly put and let the public see an inside look at a great hockey program. Coach Wear is without a doubt one of those coaches that strives for excellence as well as making sure his players will thrive and make the right choices in their life outside of the rink. Last but not least we have goaltender Trey Beuning!

(Credit to Robert Morris University-Springfield)

   Lastly, we have goaltender #33 Trey Beuning! Trey is a junior goalie from Arlington, Texas. He is 5 ft 9 in and shoots left. His current stats are 4 games played, 96.52 minutes recorded, 45 shots against, 38 saves, and a 0.844 save percentage. The stats for last year were 3 games played, 108.30 minutes recorded, 6.09 goals against, 67 shots against, 56 saves, and a 0.836 save percentage. It was great to interview Trey because he gave some very thorough and well thought out answers!

BB: How has your hockey career  been at Robert Morris University Springfield?

TB: My hockey career at RMU Springfield has been a blast even though we have had some bad seasons the team has always been fun and the guys in the locker room have been like a family to me. I'm just glad that I was given the opportunity to play college hockey.
BB: How does it feel to be the goaltender with the best save percentage and statistics?

TB: It feels good but I can't take all the credit if it wasn't for my defenseman helping me and my forwards putting the puck in the net I wouldn't be any where. It's a team effort out there.
BB: What have you learned from your college hockey experience?

TB:  What I have learned in my three years at RMU is how to live on my own and support my self coming from Arlington, Texas to Springfield, Illinois was quite a culture shock for me. I had to learn to live on my own and take care of my self, I had to learn how to do my own laundry and cook. I had never seen more than an inch to two inches of snow before so that was really different.

BB: Why would you recommend the RMU-S hockey program?

TB: I would recommend the RMU Springfield hockey program because  I feel like we have the best coach in the league, Jeff Wear, as well as the most talent and with a few more guys in the lineup we could really go far next year.

BB: What has been your most memorable experience with the team?

TB: All the road trips with the guys and getting to spend time and talking it up on the bus with the guys. My first win was memorable, it was a 5-3 win over Northern Illinois.

BB: How are we going to prepare your game for your senior year?

TB: I'm going to work on getting in shape over the summer so I can come into next season ready to compete for the starting job.

BB:Is there any advice you would give the younger classmen?

TB: Take it all in cause before you know it you'll be a senior, it feels just like yesterday that I was a freshman.

BB: What is the most important thing you will take away from your time in college hockey so far?

TB: All the friends that I have made on the teams over the years. I'll never stop playing hockey even if it is just beer league but I am going to miss the guys on the team. And all of the coach's war stories from his time playing college hockey.

BB: How will you be helping the incoming goalies?

TB: I'll tell them all about the league we play in and what coach expects from his goalies and how they can better their game to get ready for their first start.

BB: Has college hockey been what you expected it to be?

TB: Yea I think so. It has been a great ride so far and I can't wait for next year.

Thank you Trey! I liked how he showed a side to college life that many students don't realize until they have to start living on the college campus. Trey seems to be the type of player that would do anything for his team ,mates no matter the cost and is always a solid block for the team. 

#33 Trey Beuning (Credit to Robert Morris University-Springfield)

  As you can see, RMU-S is a highly operated and coached program with many opportunities now and coming up in the future. The players highly enjoy playing here and many skills are taught within the team unit that will carry on throughout the rest of their lives. I had a great time writing about this particular hockey team because they are just a fantastic team and are always willing to help out any way they can. If you have any spare time, you should go friend their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/robertmorrisuniversity.springfieldhockey and you can check out their site which would be: http://www.rmueagles.com/sport/11/51.php! *All pictures credit to their Facebook page*

   Thanks for reading another blog of Biscuits and Breezers! Every blog will be filled with updated hockey news, player reviews, and much more! Until next time remember, don't get your breezers in a bunch because hockey is always around the corner. Remember, it's always a great day for hockey and it's a lifestyle not just a sport!