Some athletes begin to play hockey because of its demanding requirements of agility and stamina, while others may relish in its physical nature.

But State College's Teague Willits-Kelley decided to play for an altogether different reason.

The "learn to skate" line was too long.

"When I was 4, I went to the ice rink one day with my grandpa because my mom wanted me to learn to skate," he said. "And the 'learn to skate' line was too long, but the hockey line was short. So, my grandpa was like 'we're getting into this line.' "

Despite this being only his second season on the Penn State ACHA Div. I Icers, Willits-Kelley has quickly risen through the ranks of leadership.

Just two weeks ago, coach Joe Battista promoted him to assistant captain.

"When I came here as an older player, I came right out and I told Joe, 'I came here to lead your team, I came here to be a captain,' " Willits-Kelley said.

And even Battista couldn't forget Willits-Kelley when he was younger -- but not because of his playing style.

"You remembered him because of his unique name first," Battista said. "I mean, seriously, I never forgot his name. Teague."

A lot of young State College hockey fans dream of suiting up and playing for the Icers -- and Willits-Kelley was no exception. However, not a lot of them receive the opportunity to play.

But Willits-Kelley used one characteristic in particular to separate him from everyone else: an unsurpassed work ethic.

"I wouldn't say I was naturally skilled, not at all," he said. "But I have a work ethic that I just keep going until I get it right, and I think that's what stands out in my play a lot."

Battista certainly didn't argue that fact, pointing to this offseason as a glaring example of Willits-Kelley's dedication to hockey.

"He broke his back in the beginning of the season last year, and it really hurt him all year long," Battista said. "But in the offseason, he was here working hockey camps and he was here working out.

"He just came back in great shape. He got trimmer, faster and it made a real difference."

Willits-Kelley's work over the offseason even earned him the Trudy & Cecil Smith Improvement Award, which is given to the Icer who exhibits the largest positive change over the summer.

And while he's transformed his build by getting into better shape, his penchant for being vocal and setting an example hasn't changed at all.

"He's a guy that leads by example," Battista said. "He's not a guy that says 'We ought to hustle,' he goes out and hustles. He's not a guy that says 'Hey, we gotta start hitting more,' he goes out and hits.

"Every now and then you need a guy that's going to get everybody fired up, and Teague provides that."

Needless to say, it's been a long road for Willits-Kelley. He's been set on competing in the sport since joining a select team in Hershey during his Pee-Wee League years.

"We got to play in the Colisee where the [former NHL team the Quebec] Nordiques played," he said. "So when I got up there and started to see what the rest of the world was like with hockey, I just knew that I wanted to play hockey the rest of my life."

Good thing the hockey line was short.