The Frozen Four: My Last Road Trip

Leaving Norwich didn’t feel real at first. Tuesday was one of those days where everything was hectic balancing practice, classes, packing, and trying not to forget anything important. However, it was also exciting in a way. Everyone was running around, double-checking gear, making sure hockey bags were packed, and squeezing in last-minute schoolwork before we hit the road. It didn’t really sink in until we were all finally on the bus heading to Boston that this was actually happening.

We got into Boston around 9:30 that night, and by then everyone was pretty exhausted. It had been a long day, and we all knew the next morning was going to come fast. There wasn’t much time to do anything besides settle in and try to get some sleep before the 4:30 a.m. early wake-up. It came quick, but there was also this quiet energy with the team.

Getting to the airport with all of our hockey bags and luggage was definitely a process. It felt like we had more gear than people at some points, but we made it work thanks to the help of our athletic department staff, Ed and Allie, and our coaching staff of course. Our 8 a.m. flight gave us a little time to sit, relax, and just take it all in. There’s something about being on a plane with your team, all heading toward the same goal — that makes everything feel more real.

We landed in Minnesota around 10:30 am, and from there we had a quick team lunch before our practice at the University of St. Thomas’s rink. Walking into that facility was an awesome experience. It’s a beautiful rink and being there made everything feel even bigger. We spent some time exploring, taking it all in, and just enjoying being in a new place together. The weather was warmer than we expected, which was a nice change too.

Then it was time to get back to business. We had practice, and even though we were tired from traveling, there was a lot of focus and energy on the ice. It felt good to finally skate and get into that routine again after the chaos of the last day. After practice, we headed to the hotel, and I think everyone was ready for a little bit of rest.

Of course, rest didn’t last too long because we had film after. That’s just part of it, always preparing, learning, getting better. It’s all leading up to something bigger, and everyone understands that.
We ended the day with hibachi for dinner, which was a lot of fun and a good way to unwind a little. Sitting there together, laughing, eating, and just enjoying the moment, it felt like a reminder of how close this team is.

Emotionally, this trip has already meant a lot. As a senior, it’s kind of surreal knowing this is my last road trip as a student-athlete. There’s definitely some mixed emotions, gratitude, a little bit of sadness, but also a lot of excitement. Being here, at the Frozen Four, especially for our program’s first appearance since 2018, is something really special.

More than anything, it’s just an incredible feeling to represent Norwich, our fans, and our families on this stage. We know there are so many people back home supporting us, and that means everything. This trip is about more than just hockey; it’s about the journey, the people, and the opportunity to be part of something bigger than ourselves.