Tommy Chunchukov remembers the first time he skated on a sheet of ice, a four-year-old clinging to a chair for balance as his dad watched proudly. Decades later, that same pride carried him from NCAA arenas back to the mid-state.
After playing Division III hockey at Buffalo State and losing passion for the game under the grind of college competition, Chunchukov has reignited his love for the sport with the MTSU club hockey program.
“I’ve been playing hockey since I can remember,” Chunchukov said. “It’s basically how I breathe, I can’t see myself not doing it.”
While pursuing a major in electrical engineering, Chunchukov balanced classes, work and hockey practice. Long nights practicing on the ice and the pressure to perform turned his lifelong passion into another job.
“Playing NCAA hockey was a great experience,” Chunchukov said. “The coaching was excellent, and I still talk to a lot of my old teammates. But skating five days a week at that level is demanding. It teaches you discipline, but it also tests how much you love the game.”
NCAA hockey is a destination for every teen playing juniors across the country. What often goes unspoken is the toll it takes on the ice. Chunchukov, originally from Hendersonville, Tennessee, moved to Buffalo, New York, to chase that dream, only to contend with rising living costs and living far from home with his wife.
After playing a year of NCAA hockey in Buffalo, burnout set in. Chunchukov made a difficult decision and returned home to Middle Tennessee to focus on hockey and earn his degree. Coming back to Tennessee wasn’t just a return to family; it was a return to the game he loved.
Chunchukov was down to two choices during his search for a new college: the University of Tennessee and MTSU.
“I never received a single phone call from the head coach at UT,” Chunchukov said. “It felt like they didn’t care whether I came here or not. JJ [Murray] is a very caring coach. I think one of the way more caring coaches at this level makes you feel wanted. And that’s why I came here because I felt wanted here.”
Ultimately, Chunchukov decided to move to Murfreesboro to continue his education and play for a rising MTSU club hockey program. His return to Middle Tennessee was driven in part by his friendship with MTSU captain Linden Palmer, a teammate during his childhood.
In Chunchukov’s short time with the Blue Raiders so far, he’s rediscovered his love for the game while finding success on the ice. He shares a line with Palmer and forward Matthew Siciliano, and the trio has taken the American Collegiate Hockey League by storm. In just 11 conference games, the line has racked up 75 combined points, among the best in the ACHA.
Chunchukov’s impact on the ice is much more than the box score. He plays a gritty, net-front style of offense that creates opportunities in the crease. His presence in the slot has led to countless opportunities for his linemates while setting a physical tone that the Blue Raiders thrive on every time the team steps onto the ice.
“The guys respect him so much,” Murray said. “He comes in with a big personality, and he knows what he wants, and what he wants is for the team to win. He doesn’t care about his individual stats.”
For Chunchukov, the return to Middle Tennessee rekindled his love of hockey. Chunchukov’s passion had been tested by collegiate competition, with a lighter schedule that included two practices a week and a school where he could focus on his major.
“Here, it’s about having fun, competing with your friends, and still playing good hockey,” Chunchukov said. That’s what makes it worth it.”
For a player who once skated with dreams of playing in the NHL, the rink in the Ford Ice Hockey Center has given him something even better: a place to belong and fall in love with the game that started it all.
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