Conqu'ring Heroes: Blankenburg Making an Impact On Ice, Around Community
12/2/2021 8:55:00 AM
Michigan hockey is off to a tremendous start this season, and Jon catches up with captain Nick Blankenburg to get an update on the season. He talks about the opportunity to play with such a talented, likable group, the team's growth from the start of the season to now, and his leadership on the ice and around the community.
By Erin O'Hara
Giving back to the University of Michigan community is one of the core values of Michigan Athletics, and one that senior ice hockey captain Nick Blankenburg has taken to heart.
"This position I'm in gives me the opportunity to help people in whatever way I can," said Blankenbrg, this week's Big Ten First Star, on the latest edition of the "Conqu'ring Heroes" podcast. "It's really important to try and be the best hockey player I can, but I want to be known as not just a hockey player, but a good person, too."
The senior defenseman has been committed to giving back to the Ann Arbor community that has been so welcoming to him in a multitude of ways.
Blankenburg organized a fundraiser last April with the support of his teammates that raised more than $4,000 for the Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor. The Washington, Mich., native also shows his support for the community by making visits to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor to interact with the children there.
"Something I take a lot of pride in is trying to help people who maybe are less fortunate than us or could use the help," said Blankenburg.
These selfless traits are something that he is noticing in his younger teammates as well.
"They are unbelievable hockey players, but more important than that they are even better guys," said Blankenburg.
Their on-ice star power has been on full display this season as the Wolverines are currently 12-4-0, ranked No. 3 in the USCHO poll and second in the USA Today poll with Blankenburg's leadership.
Although the Wolverines have their sights set on this year's Frozen Four and national championship at TD Garden in Boston, something that has been a point of emphasis for Blankenburg, his team is living in the moment and relishing the moments that they have at the University of Michigan.
"We have the opportunity to do something that's so special and something that can never be taken away from us," Blankenburg said.
This opportunity only feels more real for the Wolverines as they continue to grow and develop as a team throughout the season.
"There were a lot of expectations at the beginning of the year," said Blankenburg, who has seven goals on the season. The Wolverines are working on living up to these expectations by learning from not only their losses, but their wins as well.
The gravity of being the captain and the one his teammates turn to is not something that is lost on Blankenburg. He feels fortunate to have the opportunity and is not letting the moment pass him by.
"Being a kid from Michigan, and being able to be a captain of the hockey team here, I have to pinch myself sometimes before I go to bed and realize how blessed I am."
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