Nov. 19, 2010
Notre Dame hockey senior right wing Ryan Guentzel is off to the best start of his career through the first 11 games of the 2010-11 season. The Woodbury, Minn., native leads the Irish in scoring with one goal and 13 assists for 14 points with the 13 assists and 14 points being career highs. He enters this weekend’s series with Michigan State at the Joyce Center ranked third in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in points and assists. Guentzel and his teammates are currently ranked 11th in the nation and are 7-3-1 on the season. In the CCHA, Notre Dame is 5-2-1-1, good for 17 points and sits atop the conference standings. Prior to this weekend’s series with the Spartans (Friday at 7:35 p.m. and Saturday at 5:05 p.m.) at the Joyce Center, und.com’s Hilary Ferguson sat down with Guentzel to find out more about the senior alternate captain and the Irish hockey team.
At what age did you start playing hockey? I started playing hockey when I was two years old. My dad was a hockey coach and played hockey in college too, so he kind of got me started at a young age.
Did you idolize any athlete or hockey player growing up? The player I idolized growing up would be Mike Modano. Being from Minnesota, he was very popular when I was of a young age. He played for the Minnesota North Stars and the Dallas Stars who were my favorite teams growing up.
Where did you play for juniors? I played two years in juniors — a year in Owatonna, Minnesota and then one year in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Which is your favorite hockey team in the NHL? My favorite NHL team is definitely the Dallas Stars. They used to be the Minnesota North Stars and they moved in the early 90s when I was a young kid, so I just continued to follow them.
What are your goals for your senior season, whether individually or as a team? Obviously I would prefer us to win a national championship if anything. That’s kind of why you want to play Division 1 hockey, to win a national championship. My dad won two national championships at the college level so I’d like to follow in his footsteps and try to win one.
What was your most memorable moment, whether on or off the ice? My most memorable moment would be just playing in the National Championship game my freshman year, Notre Dame versus Boston College. That was just a thrill that is indescribable and I’d love to have that feeling again.
I see you’re a Finance major. What are your plans after graduation? I’m just playing it by ear. I’m not too worried about it right now until after the season but I’d like to play hockey if I can. If I don’t, that’s why I came to Notre Dame — to get a good job and get hired somewhere.
What has been the biggest challenge this season as a team? Playing Boston College was a big challenge for us, being such a young team; just seeing how we would respond because we didn’t have that high of expectations this year. I think that game paved the way for the freshmen players on our team this year.
Do you have any pre-game rituals? There are a bunch of us that like to play soccer before every game. I get dressed the same way every time, but nothing too specific. We just make sure to get some soccer in every time.
Where is your favorite place to play on the road? I love playing at Michigan at Yost Arena. Their fans are right on top of you, they’re really loud. I love their fight song, it gets me going. Playing in that atmosphere is incredible.
Why did you choose Notre Dame? When I committed to Notre Dame, obviously hockey was a big reason. They were number one in the nation at the time so that played a big role. When I walked on campus for my official visit, I definitely got that feeling for the tradition and history of the school. And of course the academics are top notch so it was too hard to pass up.
Do you have any hobbies outside of hockey? I’m a big golfer. I’ve played golf for a long time. I love going to our cabin with my family and brothers. Being outdoors in Minnesota is popular so I like to fish and water ski, that kind of stuff.
Where is the coolest place you have traveled for hockey? Going to Colorado Springs for the national tournament my freshmen year was a pretty cool experience. Playing for a national championship is always exciting.
What is the most difficult part of being a student-athlete? The most difficult part of being a student-athlete is the time management. We have 6 a.m. lifts, go to class all day, come to practice and by the time you’re done with practice it’s almost 7:00 and you still have to eat and study. They you do it all over again. Managing your time is very crucial.
Who is your favorite professor in your time here at Notre Dame? I’ve had a couple but one that sticks out in my mind if Father Heintz. He’s a Theology teacher and a big Notre Dame hockey fan. I know there are numerous guys on the team who have had great connections with him and he likes to stay in touch. He’s just a really caring, thoughtful guy that I appreciate.
What is your favorite movie? I would have to say the “The Hangover” and of course, any hockey movie. “Miracle,” “Slapshot,” “Mighty Ducks,” the typical ones.
What will you miss most about Notre Dame? I think I’ll miss the guys that I’ve grown close with over the years. We spend a lot of time together — every day at the hockey game, on the road traveling with each other. They’re like my family so it will be tough moving away and not being with these guys every day.
What would you do with a million dollars? If I had a million dollars, I would help my parents out. I have another brother in college and one in high school so I would make sure they were taken care of. My dad is a hockey coach so he hasn’t been able to see many of my games so I’d definitely help him make it to more of them. My mom travels from Indiana to Colorado College to Minnesota to see all of us so I would like to help her travel easier as well.
Between you, your father, and your brothers, which of you is the best hockey player? That’s a tough one. My dad would take the bragging rights right now but I think the little one in high school has the best opportunity to be the best one.
What advice do you give to incoming freshmen? The best advice I can give the incoming freshmen is to make the most of your time here; it goes by really fast. I remember the seniors saying that my freshmen year and I remember kind of saying yeah right but it’s just incredible how fast time goes here. So I would definitely just tell them to make the most of every opportunity they have.