I first laced up ice skates in late 2002 when I joined the Tigers' developmental team. It wasn't that long before I got invited to join the Wizards in D7 and then the Hurricanes in D6. In the winter I used to spend Thursday nights skating at Riverbank, near my old apartment in Harlem.

I remember being excited to just be playing at first, but now hockey's become something more for me. It's a way to be more healthy and balanced. I find it fascinating to watch how I view the game evolve. The really basic things I used to pay attention to in those first few games finally feel routine and now I notice myself giving my attention to more complicated plays. It's been a great tool to evaluate and measure the ways I learn.

Born and raised in semi-rural Indiana, not far from Chicago, I moved around a bit after high school instead of attending college. After time in Boston, Seattle (with weekends in Vancouver), and even Alaska, I returned to New York for 5 years and played with the NYCGHA. I was a professional graphic designer there, producing magazine editorial for titles like Entertainment Weekly, OUT, Seattle Magazine and Condé Nast Traveler.

Now, I moved back home near my family and brought what I learned in NYC with me as I built the Madison Gay Hockey Association.