Sophomore Summer: Nick Unruh of Men’s Ice Hockey

Throughout the summer, DartmouthSports.com will be focusing on members of the Class of 2024 who are currently in their "Sophomore Summers" presented by the Norwich Inn.

This installment focuses on Nick Unruh of the men's ice hockey team. The Fort McMurray, Alberta native appeared in 27 games for the Big Green in 2021-22, finishing with six points.

DartmouthSports.com: What is your favorite place on campus?
Nick Unruh: This is a very predictable answer, but my favorite place on campus is Thompson Arena. It is the place where I'm able to escape non-athletic and do what I love. Some of my best memories and hardest lessons are associated with that building and I will always value that. Most importantly, being able to come to the rink and spend time with my teammates is one of the best parts of being on a team and something most athletes can relate to. Nothing beats showing up to the rink and having a laugh with teammates, and from what I've heard, is the thing retired athletes miss most. No matter how difficult school or hockey might be, the guys in the locker room always cheer each other up and support each other, and the rink is where most of this takes place.

DS: What was it in the recruiting process that sold you on Dartmouth?
NU: This might sound weird, but when the Dartmouth hockey staff first reached out to me all I knew about the school was that they had a Division I hockey program. Honestly, where I'm from in Canada, not a ton of people know a lot about Dartmouth. As I did more research and started talking to the hockey staff more frequently, I began to understand how special and unique Dartmouth is. There is no place that I know of back home that is like Dartmouth, once I realized that I knew being able to go to Dartmouth was an opportunity of a lifetime.

DS: What has been your best on-ice memory thus far in your Dartmouth career?
NU: I'm guessing this is a pretty standard answer from most hockey players, but it has to be the tennis ball game versus Princeton. Seeing so many students at the game bringing so much energy for one of our most anticipated games of the season was exhilarating. Being able to have that kind of energy in Thompson Arena after having COVID restrict attendance was amazing. Countless hockey alumni mentioned how special the tennis ball game is each year, and my first one definitely lived up to expectations. Our team scoring the tennis ball goal late in the game to make it 1-0 made the goal that much more electrifying.

DS: How is Hanover different or similar to where you grew up?
NU: Hanover's strong sense of community reminds me of my hometown in Fort McMurray, Alberta. "Fort Mac", much like Hanover, is quite isolated from large metropolitan areas. I believe this forces people in these more isolated areas to lean on each to a further extent than they would in a bustling big city. The strength and closeness of the Dartmouth community is one of the main selling points for the college, and has been very noticeable to me and reminds me a lot of the type of community I grew up in. I think the lifelong relationships people build here are a product of the nature of the Hanover community.

DS: What show do you binge watch?
NU: I'm currently binge watching the Obi Wan Kenobi series that recently came out. I'm an enormous Star Wars fan and Obi Wan Kenobi was my favorite Star Wars character growing up, I was Obi Wan Kenobi for four Halloweens in a row as a kid. The show hasn't been everything I wanted it to be, but I will binge anything related to Star Wars. Luckily, there have been some parts of the show that had me yelling at my TV in excitement. If a second season comes out, I'll be watching it no matter how good or bad it is.

DS: Do you have a nickname on your team? Who gave it to you and why?
NU: My nickname for most teams I've played on is Nicky. Pretty straight forward nickname, my Dad came up with it and started calling me Nicky as early as I can remember. However, a newer nickname I got this year from a couple freshmen was "Nicky Noise", inspired by my brief stint of buying a mixing board last summer and trying to teach myself how to DJ. I guess "Nicky Noise" was supposed to be my stage name, but I don't think I have the talent to perform anytime soon, I'll stick to hockey for now.

DS: What are your post-Dartmouth plans?
NU: I'm unsure of my post-Dartmouth plans, as I'm sure is the same with a number of Dartmouth athletes. I would love to play professional hockey after Dartmouth. I'm not sure for how long or where, but it's something I've always dreamed of. I always liked the idea of playing in Europe, I think that would be a very cool experience. Ideally, I'd live in the U.S. after Dartmouth. I'm not sure where I'd choose to live, but I feel like I see myself living in the U.S. at least to start my career.

DS: What would be your best advice to your 15-year-old self?
NU: My advice for my 15-year-old self would be to focus on doing something every day that is going to make you just a little bit better than you are today. These things do not have to be substantial, but they are little things that will add up over time and put yourself in a better position to be successful. Things as small as putting aside 10 minutes to stretch or doing a little reading before bed will pay dividends in the future, although you may not see the benefits immediately. I think looking at personal growth through this lens makes you more disciplined and professional, and is a concept I wish I grasped at a younger age.

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