Gates impact felt on Men's Hockey program

Story written for February 13 game program

Matt Gates was looking for a new hockey home. Prior to the 2013-14 season, Gates, previously a forward for Division I University of Alaska Fairbanks, wanted to find a new school and hockey program, one that would help fulfill a certain aspect in his life.

Gates, a Pre-Seminary major, is a player that doesn't just rely on his hard work and strong skill set while on the ice. He is a man of faith and wanted both his hockey program, as well as his future academic institution, to help fulfill that aspect of his life.

"At that point and time in my life I was looking to fulfill my faith," Gates said when looking to at potential schools to continue his hockey and academic careers. "This institution and hockey program had an environment that would support that growth in faith I was looking for."

Gates made the decision to come to Mequon and call Concordia University Wisconsin his home for the next two years. The pairing was a perfect fit, as head coach Jasen Wise was getting a strong player with Division I hockey experience and also a player who could serve as a leader and fit in with what the Falcons were trying to accomplish.

"Matt has been a great addition to our program, both athletically and spiritually," Wise said. "As we all work to improve our relationship with God, Matt's guidance has been invaluable."

The forward from Palatine, Ill., certainly made an impact his first season lacing up the skates with the Falcons. Gates produced nine points, scoring six goals and adding three assists. He was a force on the power play, scoring four times and put together a four-game point streak midway through the year, all those contests resulting in Falcons victories.

His impact, however, was felt much more than just on the stat sheet. Gates is a leader and a high-character guy. He represents exactly what the Falcons look for in a hockey player, both on and off the ice.

"His impact on the Men's Hockey program will be more than any goal scored or game won," Wise said. "We are grateful for his time here and thankful he chose CUW."

Gates' teammates agree that he provides much more than goals or assists, but leadership. After each season the team votes on captains for the next season, and the players selected Gates as an assistant captain after just one season with the program.

"It meant a lot to me to have that trust from the guys," Gates said when asked about being named an assistant captain. "It inspires to be my best when I come to the rink, to lead them and not take a day off. It's an honor to be given that leadership after a year of being in the program."

His leadership has certainly been needed this season. When talking with Gates he brought up the word adversity time and time again. Adversity is something the Falcons have faced several times this season from a couple of losing streaks, to a few players leaving the team. Up until last week CUW was in last place in the NCHA standings and anything short of a sweep at Northland College and the Falcons would likely be missing the conference playoffs.

Gates and his teammates didn't waver, but instead kept working and got the two victories they needed. The senior played a big role in both victories, specifically on Saturday when he scored a power play goal and added an assist in a 5-2 win.

The two wins over Northland haven't assured anything for Gates and his teammates just yet, as the Falcons still have work to do this weekend to qualify for the NCHA Tournament. However, for Gates, a player who is just trying to enjoy his last moments as a collegiate hockey player, he knows his team has what it takes to overcome all the adversity the 2014-15 season threw at them and is just excited he still has some time left as a hockey player.

"With the amount of adversity that we've gone through this year, I'm honestly just excited to compete for how many games that I have left," Gates said. "I'm optimistic about every chance I get on the ice."