As the Star-Spangled Banner rang over the loudspeakers in the rolling hills of France, Middle Tennessee State University forward Tommy Chunchukov stood on the ice with the U.S. flag stitched to his shoulder.
“Seeing the United States flag on my shoulder,” Chunchukov said. “It’s pretty surreal and a cool moment for me.”
Chunchukov was one of four MTSU players selected to participate in the College Hockey South All-Star team, which included 23 players and four coaches from across the conference. He was joined by captain Linden Palmer, forwards Brendan Ogle and Ethan DeMumbrum, along with MTSU’s head coach JJ Murray.
“There have been comments that Southern teams shouldn’t be ranked so high, but I’m confident our team will play anyone,” Murray said. “Going over there and finishing 3-0-1 really solidified how good hockey is in the South.”
The All-Star team toured parts of France, playing against international junior and semipro teams. The Blue Raiders racked up 16 points in four games with Ogle leading the way, tallying four goals.
Beyond the thrill of representing the United States, players quickly noticed the differences in hockey overseas. European arenas feature Olympic-sized ice rinks that are about 10 feet wider than rinks used in the U.S.
The larger playing area caters to the European style of hockey, which emphasizes puck possession over the fast, aggressive style seen in American hockey. Along with a focus on precise skating to create goal-scoring opportunities.
“The American style is go, go, go, so they [Europeans] weren’t really used to that,” Chunchukov said. “I don’t think they were used to the physicality and the grit that came with it.”
Along with the wider playing surface, the players found themselves in arenas filled with diehard fans who cheered, blew air horns and sang throughout the entire 60 minutes. Palmer recalled one fan during the final game against the Amiens Gothiques who sang the entire game without taking a break.
“It was really obnoxious,” Palmer said.
Off the ice, the players explored many of the landmarks and attractions that European tourism had to offer. Whether it was exploring the streets of Paris or skiing in Strasbourg, France, the Blue Raiders made the most of their time abroad.
Even with the countless memories and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, for Palmer, the trip was a grounding experience.
“During the national anthem, I started thinking about playing when I was younger, in high school and through college,” Palmer said. “All the little humps I had to get over, all the little stories, they were just rolling through my head.”
The trip marked a reunion of last season’s top line for MTSU. Palmer, Ogle and DeMumbrum were reunited on a line during the tour. The trio led the Blue Raiders to a berth in the Division II AAU College Hockey Nationals Semifinals last season and clicked immediately for the all-stars.
Spending time off the ice during long bus rides and weather delays gave both the players and Murray an opportunity to get to know each other outside of the game. With the grind of the season and the high expectations surrounding the program, Murray appreciated the chance to spend more time with his players in a more personal setting.
“On this trip, I was able to turn off the coaching mode and become friends with these guys and show them my real personality,” Murray said.
Despite DeMumbrum battling food poisoning and a lost passport, Palmer fighting the flu, as the final whistle sounded after a 6-2 win, the tour provided unforgettable moments both on and off the ice.
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