Senior Mike Reisland has a unique workload in his final year at N.C. State — majoring in aerospace engineering and co-captaining the N.C. State hockey team.
The senior forward is fourth on the team in points, 13, with six goals and seven assists.
“It’s difficult,” Reisland said. “It’s just a matter of making sure you get your work done so you can actually play. School comes first, but you always want to play hockey.”
Led by junior forward and team points leader Chris Nelson, the Wolfpack has earned a 10-8 record this season, playing in the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League. The ACCHL consists of seven teams: Duke, Elon, Georgetown, George Washington, North Carolina, N.C. State and Virginia.
Nelson, a computer science major, has scored nine goals and tallied seven assists for a team-high 16 points.
Since the team is technically a club sport, offering no scholarships, the team does not have the ability to play for an NCAA national championship — yet.
“We’re just not at that level yet, but we’re making good strides to get to that level, especially with the exposure we get,” Reisland said. “Hopefully, soon, we’ll be able to get there, but it’s all just a matter of time.”
State won the ACCHL championship during the 2010-11 season. Teammates say they believe they are on the path to return.
“I have a lot of good kids coming in, a lot of new talent,” Reisland said. “We’re really looking promising for the upcoming years. We should have a solid team, and I’m hoping we’ll be able to win it again this year.”
The team is coached by Mike Gazzillo, who is in his third season behind the bench for the Pack. Before taking over as head coach, Gazzillo was an assistant for UNC-Chapel Hill’s team.
Gazzillo said he’s pleased with the team’s progress after a slow start to the season.
“We had some really close games, had some really good chances, but pucks just weren’t bouncing our way,” Gazzillo said.
The team dominated Clemson in its opening game, 8-3, but lost its next five games.
“The defense has been really strong. The defense has been playing much better in the defensive zone, which has helped us because it limits the number of opportunities the other team gets with the puck,” Gazzillo said. “The guys are really coming together. There is really good bonding with the team. They’re a close-knit group.”
In its last game before winter break, the team lost to UNC-Wilmington, 7-1, but will look to get back on track when it takes on Christopher Newport University on Saturday at Raleigh Center Ice hockey rink.
The team practices twice a week at Raleigh Center Ice and welcomes students and fans to attend, as well as to support the team at home games.
“Basically, it’s getting fans here and seeing the level that it is and then going back and telling all the people that they saw a good game, they had a good time,” Gazzillo said.
