They won’t be found on the football field, in the stands on a Friday night or just hanging out at home after school. The soundtrack to their school nights is the scraping of blades and hockey sticks against ice while their breath fogs up the air around them. Five faces that walk the halls have committed themselves to one of the top hockey teams in country. The Russell Stover hockey team is known for its excellence and success as one of the top 25 teams in the country. Sacrificing their free time and social lives, these players have dedicated themselves to pursue a sport they all love, a trade off where they believe the value outweighs any setbacks.

Ready to attack any opponent who nears the goal, senior Garrett Becker keeps the opposing team at bay as a defenseman for the 18 and under Stover hockey team. Between school and hockey, time-consuming activities keep him busy but he isn’t overwhelmed by the responsibilities.

“Being on the team teaches a lot about time management,” he said. “It’s like being in college in the way that you have to be in charge of yourself and know what you need to be doing.”

Becker has been a Stover hockey player for three years. This year his family is hosting a player so that he can play for the Stover 18 and under team.

Skating quickly, air rippling through his jersey, he keeps the puck in front of him, eyes darting from player to player, searching for an opening slot that leads to the goal. Coming to Stover from Minnesota to live with Becker, senior Alex Durand plays as a wing for the team. As a wing, Durand is constantly chasing after the puck to score as many goals as he can. Russell Stover has a tradition of well-trained athletes, requiring certain commitments of their players; players have agreed to be tested at a moment’s notice for drugs or alcohol, they also have a curfew that must be kept.

“The requirements, like curfew and stuff really aren’t that bad,” Durand said. “It’s not like I’m doing anything other than hockey.”

After the 18 and under players shuffle off the ice and the zamboni makes its sweep to erase their tracks, the 16 and under team takes the ice for its practice.

Stick in hand, he dodges opponents and makes his way toward the goal. His efforts are met by the banging of sticks against the ground from the sidelines. In order to step up his game, sophomore Brant Millerborg and his family moved to Overland Park from Wichita, Kansas this year to become involved in Stover hockey. Attending nightly practices and off-ice workout sessions has proven to be beneficial to him.

“I’ve improved twice as much since I started playing here,” Millerborg said. “I’m faster, stronger, quicker and an all-around better athlete.”

Like Durand, Millerborg plays as a wing, focusing his time on making goals and his sitck handling. The Millerborg family is currently hosting one of the 16 and under players so that he can play for the team this season.

His eyes never leave the puck as it travels from player to player; he barrels ahead as he moves to steal the puck from his opponent. Like both Millerborg and Durand, junior Jack McClelland also plays as a wing. McClelland is being hosted by the Millerborg family this year in order to play for Stover. Coming from Wichita, Kansas, McClelland has made changes to his game, improving with each swipe of his stick due to the differences between Stover and his old hockey team.

“The coaching is a big difference maker,” McClelland said. “My speed, quickness in my feet and strength on my feet have improved along with my awareness on the ice.”

He’s the last line of defense against the opposing team, the player who stands guard against opponents who are after what he protects – the goal. As a part of the 16 and under team, sophomore Max Kerner plays as goalie. Playing for Stover for the past three years, his love for hockey hasn’t wavered by the pressures of daily training.

“Coaches and teammates, we all push each other,” Kerner said. “The older you get in hockey the more serious it gets. This is the start of being really serious.”

His life is a balance of school, hockey and sleep; finding little time to spend for his social life. Some teenagers cringe at the thought of missing weekend fun, but Kerner became a part of the team knowing this and finds that sacrifice is worth improving his abilities in front of the goal.

This tight-knit family built on the foundation of a passion for hockey can be seen in the school halls; jokingly chirping someone’s flow, or ranting about last night’s workouts. While their ages split them into separate teams, this group has bonded over the short amount of time they have spent together. Each player supporting the team from their own position, pushing themselves every second of a game and working together to put themselves further than before.

“We all have the same dream we want to achieve,” Millerborg said. “As a team we are willing to go through anything to get it.”