The Hillsdale club hockey team last year. Courtesy | Brady Birmingham 

Sophomore Brady Birmingham is growing out a mullet for hockey season.

He is vice president of the Hillsdale’s club hockey team, which is preparing for the 2024 season. The team donned new uniforms to play its season opener Jan. 31 in Jackson. Birmingham said they hope to play close to 7 games this year.

The team is young and mostly composed of underclassmen, including the president and vice president who are both sophomores. Although there are only sixteen players this season, Birmingham said that most seem like they will stick around. 

Players last year came in and out of the team, but Birmingham said it seems like more of the team will stick around this year.

DaRoss said the club is always looking for new members because its small roster is a disadvantage against larger teams.

“This team has always been the underdog and kind of a rag-tag team,” sophomore club president Sean DaRoss said. “The most important thing is to get people out there. If we can get enough people out there, then we won’t be so tired.”

“We always need more guys to play. We have enough to play, but having a few more would be great,” Birmingham said.

He noted this year’s team features many different skill levels as well. 

“We have a whole range of skills. We have people who just started skating and we have people that have been playing most of their lives and just want to keep playing,” Birmingham said. “It keeps it interesting.” 

Both Birmingham and DaRoss encourage students to consider playing.  

“That’s kind of the fun of it. You’re just jumping out on the ice and having fun regardless of what skill level you are,” DaRoss said. 

According to Birmingham, the difficulties make the sport more enjoyable. 

“It’s a lot of fun. I would much rather be losing and competitive than super dominant,” Birmingham said. “And we are definitely competitive.” 

Birmingham said the club gives a chance to have a good time and the perfect environment to meet new friends and enjoy a great sport.

“It’s a very welcoming environment,” Birmingham said. “In my experience, there’s a stigma that hockey players can be very full of themselves, but it’s not like that at all. I went into the locker room last year not really knowing anyone, but I just started blending with everyone in the room. It’s a very welcoming environment and you become very close to the people you’re playing with.” 

DaRoss said the club is a great way for students to meet people outside of their usual spheres. 

“It’s through these alternative pathways that you can make new connections that you would not have made otherwise,” DaRoss said.

Both agreed that hockey is one of the best sports to play and to watch.

“You’re on skates on ice, you can’t beat that,” DaRoss said.

The rough nature of the game itself adds to its appeal, Birmingham said.

“I like the physicality, I think that is a staple of hockey,” Birmingham said.“In certain sports you can only be physical up to an extent, but in hockey there’s a bit more of a longer leash for hockey players and you’re able to get a little cheap without getting too far. It allows for an interesting aspect of the game.” 

Hockey stands apart from other sports, Birmingham said, because of the team-focused nature of the game. 

“I think it is one of the main sports that isn’t reliant on star power. You’re so dependent on everyone else on the ice,” Birmingham said. You need everyone clicking with each other and I think that’s what makes the sport so special.” 

According to Birmingham, fans bring a lot of energy to the game.  

“When people show up, a team is very connected to its fans. There’s no gap and the fans are very involved. The energy is fantastic. Fans are so close to the ice that they’re very involved in what’s going on,” Birmingham said. 

DaRoss and Birmingham said they want to revive hockey culture at Hillsdale. 

“Hillsdale is like that one bubble of Michigan that is not hockey centered,” DaRoss said.

 Both Birmingham and DaRoss agreed that the bubble should be popped. 

“It would be great to make Hillsdale a hockey town.” Birmingham said.