As in other years, BYU hockey organized an alumni game that serves as a kind of team reunion and fundraiser for the club sport. The game, which took place Saturday, featured former and current BYU hockey players facing off to build support and awareness for the team.
“It’s fun to come back and see everybody and build support for the program,” said Smokey Imes, who played hockey for BYU from 1997 to 2000. “We are playing full contact, because that’s what everybody wanted to do.”
Despite an alumni roster that ranged from 1970’s players to those who graduated only in the last few years, it was a physical and energetic game.
This game proved that a love for hockey runs in the family. BYU hockey head coach Josh Burkart and his brother Jim teamed up, and father-son duo John and Rich Ternieden also hit the rink to take advantage of family chemistry.
“I always look forward to playing with my son and touching base with some of the guys I played with before,” said Rich Ternieden, who played hockey for BYU from 1976 to 1978.
Ternieden few in from Toronto in order to play with his son in the alumni game, which the two have done for the past three years. This highlights the growing legacy of BYU hockey that begins with strong family ties and transfers into passionate play on the ice.
The hockey team will play its last home games this season on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7–8, against Montana.
