The University of North Florida ice hockey team made program history March 11, playing its first game in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Championship tournament. 

While the Ospreys lost their match against St. John Fisher University, the team will enter its second AAU game against Stevenson University on March 12.

Ahead of the team’s first game at Community Igloo, Spinnaker spoke with team captain Jeremy Diaz and freshman George Brkljacic, who recently broke the AAU record for most goals in a single season.

Player Insight

Team captain Diaz expressed that he was feeling nervous and excited before their first game in the AAU National Championship.

“I got a little bit of jitters, I won’t lie, but I’m super excited,” Diaz said. “The team’s been working hard to get here, so I’m just excited to see that it actually comes to fruition.”

With the growth of the UNF ice hockey program, pulling 25 players on the roster and finishing the season 15-8, Diaz commented on his experience as a first-time captain.

“It’s definitely a big step up from what it has been,” Diaz said. “This is my first time being a full-time captain, so it was a little bit of an adjustment for me at the beginning of the season, but I feel like I found my place now.”

While this is Diaz’s first season as a team captain, he is no stranger to the sport, having played hockey since he was “about six years old.” Despite moving around a lot as a military family, Diaz stuck with hockey all the way to UNF.

“It’s been a part of my life since I can remember,” Diaz said. “Once classes started up, that’s when I started playing for the hockey team at UNF.”

Diaz also explained that, as the team experienced intense growth in popularity and support, it has prioritized internal growth.

“Our goal, this year, was to change the culture of the team and look more towards winning instead of just surviving like we were the past two years,” Diaz said, “The change in culture was definitely the biggest thing we went for at the start of the season.”

For Tampa local Brkljacic, the ice hockey team’s culture cultivated a family for him at UNF.

“I’m just glad I was able to find my family when I moved up here,” Brkljacic said. “That’s what hockey brings, a bunch of guys that get together and share the sport.”

While a full-time student and employee, Brkljacic explained that he prioritizes his mental health. 

“I’m not the kind of person to give myself a pat on the back, but as someone that is built on work ethic and dedication, I think it’s really important that I keep my mental health in check as well as physical health,” Brkljacic said. 

Still, Brkljacic considers hockey as an outlet rather than an obligation. 

“I don’t really see practice as a chore,” Brkljacic said. “I see it as an opportunity, an opportunity to get better, an opportunity to see my brothers.”

Brkljacic saw his brothers again at Community Igloo when they played against St. John Fisher University. Despite high expectations, Brkljacic said the team is prepared for the game.

“Tensions are a little high going into elimination games,” Brkljacic said. “So just a lot of excitement going forward.”

Game Results

In their first game of the AAU Tournament, the team lost to the St. John Fisher Cardinals, 3-8. 

Brkljacic scored two of the team’s points during the first and second periods, while Diaz scored the team’s third point in the final period.

“All we’ve done is battle adversity all season,” Brkljacic said. “There’s nothing like another test for UNF.”

Despite the loss, the ice hockey team is scheduled to play Stevenson University on March 12 at 6 p.m.

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