BY ERIK ERLENDSSON, Tampa Tribune (Special to On Frozen Pond)
TWITTER: @erlendssontrib
TAMPA -- Growing up outside of Sunrise, Union freshman D Shayne Gostisbehere attended Florida Panthers games on a regular basis as his grandparents held season tickets since the inaugural season in 1993-94.
Now the 19-year-old who grew up in Margate idolizing Pavel Bure is playing the biggest game of his hockey career on Florida soil as a regular blue liner for the East Coast Athletic Conference champions appearing in their first Frozen Four.
“Not a lot of people play hockey down here, not a lot of college hockey at least, so it’s definitely awesome,’’ Gostisbehere said.
Gostisbehere picked up hockey at the age of five after going to the rink so much with his sister, who was a figure skater.
By the time he was a teenager playing travel hockey, he was recruited to play prep school hockey in Connecticut after playing in a tournament in Boston before eventually landing at Union this season.
“My coach sat me down (in high school) and told me that I had a chance to play somewhere else,’’ Gostisbehere said. “I definitely took the game more serious and it’s turned out great.’’
Where did he play down here before heading north? Which travel team? Which high school team? Who was the coach who said go north young man?
Posted by: Bobby | April 04, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Do not know...
Posted by: George Richards | April 04, 2012 at 11:15 PM
As a panther fan that lives just a few miles from Union College, I am pulling for the Dutchmen to pull this out and bring a championship back to Schenectady and Upstate NY!!!
Posted by: madcat78 | April 05, 2012 at 09:03 AM
I think he played for the FL Jr. Panthers
Posted by: dda | April 05, 2012 at 10:39 AM
LETS GO PANTHERS TONIGHT!!!!
I DARE YOU TO PROVE MY SCREENNAME IS WRONG!
Posted by: SAME OLD PANTHERS! | April 05, 2012 at 02:18 PM
The kid played well tonight but Union lost a heartbreaker. I'm glad he is showing how Florida junior hockey is up and coming.
Posted by: Jack | April 06, 2012 at 12:34 AM