Sam Hinnant '18 Recruiting Profile

I believe in a team first approach and want to help my team and program "get the win" first.  By doing this my whole career I know that the rest will fall into place and all in due time.  I have never subscribed to the belief that its about how many medals or personal accolades you have on your wall at home but how many championship team banners have my name on them.  Ice hockey is a team sport and I am a team player.  I earn my place and work harder to advance my position, perform in my role and do my job every shift, every game,, every time.  I work as hard in the off season as I do during the season because I believe champions are made and championships are won in the off season. 

I want to leverage my passion, commitment and love for ice hockey with my passion for learning and education in an environment set up for me to be able to excel in both.  I have an internal drive for improving and developing my game and it's only matched by the same thirst and hunger I have for developing my mind in the classroom.  I am always ready to lead by example on and off the ice and have an all In attitude with an all-out work ethic.  I want to work hard before during and after to be part of a college or university with a tradition of excellence in the classroom and on the ice. 

You can always get better, you can always improve but you won't have the chance if you don't put in the time, energy and persistence.  I am always learning more and more every day and every season about myself, the game and what it takes and what sacrifices and requirements are needed.  It doesn't get easier as you progress in your career and the challenge of that is what I love.  I want to always position myself in the pressure situations, to be challenged to have more expected of me.  "Winners and leaders want the puck when the game is on the line".  This is a quote I love to remind myself of and live by.  I never will be complacent with myself or my game that is for certain.  I firmly believe the best is still to come and college will be an amazing time for me to learn and grow and set up the rest of my life.

I am a goal oriented person on and off the ice.  Once I set my mind to accomplishing any of my goals they will get accomplished.  So with that being said my goal is to work hard, learn, stay focused, develop on and off the ice and eventually position myself with an opportunity to earn the best college or university education I can for myself while marrying that with competing and playing alongside and against the best college hockey coaches, staff and players I can.  "Life moves fast--but hockey players move faster" is another saying I use that helps me stay grounded and always keeps my life in balance with all of the demands that come with being a student athlete.