How does existentialist philosophy apply to the life of Icers' forward Neal Price?

This may appear to be a strange question at first glance, but when an observer considers all the choices and challenges Price has faced and that existentialism emphasizes the decisions people make and the ability to redefine oneself, the query becomes more relevant.

The Icers' assist leader with 26, Price could have decided to take his time and to have an average return from a completely torn right anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in the summer of 2000.

Contrarily, Price's strong initiative and persistence have helped him vie for the Icers' lead in points this season.

Price, who has already surpassed his previous season highs in points and assists, is currently second on the team in scoring with 34 points behind forward Glenn Zuck.

Persistence, initiative and intensity are qualities that are thread through Price's life.

These qualities were apparent in the South Park native's work ethic to rehabilitate his knee and return last season in early February and to come back better than ever this season.

Darian Pletcher, one of the strength trainers who worked with Price this summer, said Price was very focused in his rehab.

"Neal's work ethic has been tremendous," Pletcher said. "A lot of athletes who have ACL injuries have problems mentally coming back from the injury. ACL rehab is very hard and painful."

Price worked with Sharon Demorski, who Pletcher said did an excellent job working with Price in rehab.

"She (Demorski) is the main reason he did so well with his rehab," Pletcher said. "She worked him hard and helped him stay focused. She pushed him to his limit everyday in rehab.

"The credit also has to go to Neal for having the mental toughness to stay with (rehab). Neal was very focused in his rehab."

Price's next challenge was to gain strength in the gym this past summer. Pletcher said Price's legs are stronger now than they were before he tore his ACL. Pletcher added that Neal's strength gains can be traced to two key factors.

"One was being on a structured program that (Icers) Coach (Joe) Battista requires them to do and the second being Neal's work habits," Pletcher said. "There was no magical program, it was his hard work that allowed him to get bigger and stronger."

While Price had been larger than the average man before his knee injury, he now has 195 pounds on his six-foot frame, which Pletcher says has helped him in the physical game this season.

Price's work to build strength to help prevent another injury, Battista said, was one good thing that came out of his injury.

"It (Price's injury) was sort of a blessing in disguise," Battista said.

Pletcher said that along with the strength Price has gained comes the weight gain that the forward needed to become a better player on the ice. He added that Price's increased strength has made him a more powerful player and he is now faster and quicker than before, even though he has gained weight. Pletcher said that Price has developed balanced strength, both in his lower and upper body.

"Because hockey is such a total body activity, being balanced in overall strength is the most important thing," Pletcher said. "You could have the strongest upper body on the team, but is you have no leg strength, you'll get pushed all over the ice."

Price made a tough decision at the end of 1999. He decided to keep playing hockey after he was unhappy with the Junior-A Debuke (Iowa) Fighting Saints and to come to Penn State.

Battista said he had known about Price from his days as the leading scorer for the Junior-B Toledo (Oh.) Cherokee, that had drafted him out of high school, and that his team had won the Central States Hockey League national championship. Price said that playing defense when he was younger has helped him become more aware of all that's happening on the ice.

Price said that if he had not talked with Battista about coming to Penn State, he would now probably be attending college somewhere and focusing solely on a college degree.

A top player terminating his career would have been unusual. Price's decision to play for the Icers speaks of his initiative and determination. It was a choice that Price, Battista and his teammates are happy he made.