Strasser departs hockey hotbed to join Icers

By MICHELLE ROACH
Collegian Sports Writer

Ice hockey is to Canada what baseball is to the United States -- everybody plays it. And for the most part, Montreal native Andrew Strasser was no different than the average Canadian boy.

But Strasser, who began playing when he was 3 or 4 years old, chose to come to America -- the land of baseball -- to begin his college career playing for the Penn State ice hockey team.

And his choice has benefitted both him and the Icers. Last Friday, despite a lingering knee injury, Strasser sparked the second-period scoring drive that climaxed with the Icers scoring four goals in 73 seconds as the Icers defeated Delaware, 10-4.

The senior co-captain brought his spark to the University four years ago after he decided he wanted to get away to a large university. Strasser was encouraged by his father, who received his master's degree at Penn State.

"I fell in love with (the University) right away," he said. "Now, I really consider this my home."

No. 35 seems to fit right into his new home. He has played in 25 of the Icers' 26 games. Two weekends ago, Strasser injured his knee while blocking a shot, forcing him to sit out a game. But sacrificing his knee to prevent a goal is representative of his defensive-minded offense.

The center also takes a defensive attitude about his team's ranking. The Icers are the American Collegiate Hockey Association's No. 1 squad, but he said rankings do not matter until the end of the year, after the national championships.

Strasser's injury did not keep him off the ice. Even though he only practiced once last week, he was back skating for Friday's game against Delaware. Despite a 10-4 win, Strasser's decreased playing time did not go unnoticed.

"They were geared up for us," said senior goaltender Derek Lecours. "You miss someone like Strasser, who's great for penalty killing."

Strasser said he appreciates his teammates and the depth their playing ability brings. But he said hockey is not the only thing on his mind.

The general arts and sciences major maintains a 3.1 grade point average and said hockey gives him the discipline to do well in the classroom. Icer Coach Joe Battista stresses academics first, Strasser said.

Battista described Strasser as a hard-working player who scores big goals.

"The single best thing about Andrew is his leadership and maturity," Battista said. "The team has chemistry this year and you have to give him a lot of credit for that."

Strasser said the Icers base their playing style on a team philosophy. Talent is spread out evenly on the team, and it seems like everyone is a good player, he said. He hopes to make his 14-year-old brother, K.J., part of the team philosophy.

"He's already signed, sealed and delivered to Penn State," Strasser said.

But for now, K.J. is still part of the Canadian framework, where hockey is a religion.

"Hockey's the fastest team sport on the planet," the older brother said. "I don't know what I'd do without it."