Bring plenty of tissues for tonight’s 7:05 p.m. game against Bowling Green. It will mark the last night the seniors on the MSU hockey team will skate at Munn Ice Arena during the regular season, and it’s bound to get emotional.
“Every year goes faster, too, that’s the hardest part,” senior forward Chris Mueller said. “When I was a freshman … it seemed like they were a lot older than I am to our freshmen. Maybe they were a little bit older. It just seemed like they were old men, and I was a little kid. I still am a little kid.”
Senior captain Bryan Lerg said Friday’s ceremonies will probably “hit him hard.”
“I think our class has a lot of leadership in it … a lot of character … (and) a bunch of goofballs,” Lerg said. “I’m glad we could all go through the past four years together and have such a good time. It sucks, it really does. I hate it. I wish there was somehow I could stay another year.”
But for MSU head coach Rick Comley, this senior class serves as the building block to continuing to improve the hockey program and reach for future national championships.
“Certainly they are the catalysts in getting the program to where we want it to be and the level of success that we’ve had since they became part of the program,” Comley said. “They’ve all played key roles, and we’re going to miss them for sure.”
Watch as seniors Lerg, Mueller, Daniel Vukovic, Jeff Dunne and Zak McClellan bid Spartans fans farewell and skate one more time on home ice during the regular season.
Bryan Lerg ( C)
Position: forward
Career stats: 66 goals, 57 assists, 123 points
What Comley says: “Bryan Lerg’s been great — an excellent captain. It’s hard to be captain when you’re one of the best players. He’s contributed on a very even basis during his four years here … (and) been a very key player.”
Chris Mueller (A)
Position: forward
Career stats: 39 goals, 61 assists, 100 points
What Comley says: “Mueller’s been a workhorse. He’s played wherever I’ve needed him to play. He’s scored big goals for us. (He) added grit to our program that I thought was really needed … that kind of tough mentality and tough to play against. He’s been very consistent for us.”
Daniel Vukovic (A)
Position: defenseman
Points: 11 goals, 26 assists, 37 points, plus-22
What Comley says: “Vuky, he worked hard, got better. So many people wondered if he could play. He’s been (very) solid, he’s played a lot. He’s got a great personality and a bubbly voice, you know, he’s been really good for us.”
Jeff Dunne
Support student media!
Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
Position: defenseman
Career: stats 2 goals, 19 assists, 21 points
What Comley says: “Another solid player. (He’s) not flashy. Blocked a lot of shots, plays well, (is) an excellent student and a solid citizen.”
Zak McClellan
Position: forward
Career stats: 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points
What Comley says: “Zak, I’ve told this story before, was brought in to make our locker room better. Even though he’s kind of the funny guy on the team and keeps everything light, he has value as a player. He’s played more and better, but he’s been a very valuable (and) consistent guy who believes in how we play and gives us that team approach we need every single night.”
Discussion
Share and discuss “One final salute” on social media.
