One of the qualifications of being featured in “:10 Seconds” is to show that you have a lot of heart and show extra effort. After senior Alternate Captain Kyle Brumfield hurt his knee in December last season, he was absolutely crushed that his season was over, and knew that it would be a grueling task to recover from a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Upon getting surgery, he had to keep his “leg remained in full extension for 4 weeks, followed with limited movement for another 8 weeks,” said Brumfield over the summer.
Little things, such as being able to do leg extensions, as well as going for runs, allowed Brumfield to slowly build his body back up to the condition he is in today.
Fast-forward to a Men’s Ice Hockey practice about two weeks ago. Upon finishing the various drills the team did, the team was split into groups of four, where they had to do suicide sprints. Most players on the team would be lucky to touch the line they were instructed to skate to, but Brumfield was going well beyond the point he had to go to, going “that extra mile.”
Little things like that do not go unnoticed, and it’s what secured Brumfield’s place in this installment of “:10 Seconds.”
1. How long have you been playing hockey?
I got a late start playing hockey, and didn’t step on the ice until I was 13.
2. How does the hockey team look for the 2014-2015 season?
With only two freshmen, one sophomore transfer, and a strong sophomore class with a few games under their belt, we took up right where we left off from last season, and will start the season rolling.
3.What is your most memorable moment in your hockey career?
My most memorable moment in hockey is winning the MASCAC Championship over Salem State in double overtime freshman year. This is a memory that gives me chills every game day, and I plan to repeat that memory in March.
4. Do you have any superstitions on game day?
The night before every game my roommates and I make chicken parmesan. Then on game day, when I put my suit and tie on I make sure to wear the same tie as long as we keep winning.
5. What was the "Welcome to Hockey" moment in your career?
My first year of playing contact hockey, I came off the bench and the puck came right to me. I immediately turned and shot the puck on my own net. Luckily, our goalie made an unreal save and fired the puck to the far blue line to our forward for a break away, and I got an assist on the play!
6. If I were to look at you iPod/iTunes/etc., what would be the five most played songs?
Florida Georgia Line—Sippin’ on Fire
G. Eazy—Almost Famous
Grand Funk Railroad—I’m Your Captain
Deorro—5 Hours
XX—The intro
7. You've battled injuries throughout the duration of your career, and worked your ass off during the off-season to make sure that this year is different. What did you do during the offseason to prevent an injury from occurring, and what kept you going during those long days of rehab?
There is no better time to make huge gains in one’s performance than the off-season. It’s the time for the player to get stronger and improve their skills for the season ahead. “Players” improve during the offseason; “teams” improve during the regular season. I have always worked hard during the offseason, but this summer was different. I am now in my senior year, and this will be my last year of playing competitive hockey. I want this to be my best year ever, so I worked especially hard this summer to be in the best shape that I’ve ever been. On those long days of rehab I would think how fortunate I was to be on the MASCAC championship team in 2012. Our team unfortunately lost the championship game the last two years, but it won’t happen this year. This will be the last opportunity I get to play in an NCAA tournament, and I plan to do whatever I can to help my team get there.
8. To follow that up, you have mentioned before how Phil Arnone was your biggest supporter during the offseason. What does it mean to you to have him around as a coach this year?
Phil Arnone has been by far, and continues to be, my biggest supporter. Last season Phil knew how hard it was for me to stand on the other side of the glass at each game and watch my team and not be able to play. As my roommate, he would come into my room every morning and tell me that everything will be all right, and that I will come back next season better than ever. Even now that I am well into my recovery process, Phil periodically sends me a text stating, “The Harn is just checking in to see how the knee is feeling.” I am happy to say that Phil will be returning this season to assist on the bench. He is a great motivator to all of us both on and off the ice.
9. Being a biotechnology major, the classes that you take aren't exactly easy. How are you able to balance hockey and school work during the season?
I came to Plymouth freshman year with 20 credits that I took while playing junior hockey in upstate New York, which has given me the ability to take a one less class each semester. Both hockey and school are very demanding, and one thing that I have learned over the years is to manage my time wisely and work ahead whenever I can.
10. The first home game is on Nov. 15 against UMass Dartmouth. When you come out onto the ice to hear Hanaway Arena going nuts, how much does that get you and the team going? Does the crowd truly give the team that big of a home-ice advantage?
Plymouth has one of the best student bodies I have ever seen, having the crowd behind the boys truly does provide a huge advantage. They keep us going when we are leading and pick us up when we need momentum. The majority of teams that come to visit us are not used to playing in a rowdy environment and it allows us to have the most competitive home ice in the league.