What do you do if you win gold at the World Junior Championships, an NCAA National Championship and then represent your country at the Men's World Championships?
If you're Chris Kreider, you work harder.
To say this has been a successful season for the Massachusetts native would be an understatement. It all started last June at the combine.
"I was just a high school kid in the middle of my lacrosse season, heading up to Toronto to work out with a bunch of...major junior...professional hockey players!" said Kreider. "I felt like I almost didn't deserve to be there at times."
Interviewed by just about every team in the league it was a whirlwind 48 hours and at times was overwhelming, but it paid off later that month in Montreal when he was selected with the 19th overall pick by the New York Rangers at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
"I didn't go up there with high expectations, kind of just happy to be there," he said. "When I heard my name called all I could think was 'Don't trip and fall down the stairs.'"
A dream that began when he was five years old and his mom taught him how to skate, had come true, but his work had just begun. Just a few days later he found himself at the New York Rangers Development Camp.
"I was in shape because of my lacrosse season and preparing for the combine, but I hadn't been on skates in two months!" said Kreider. "I was thrown into the fire a bit, but I saw it as a stepping stone. It definitely opened my eyes."
Soon after that, he was invited to Team USA's World Junior Championship Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid. Having never competed for the United States internationally and participated in only one Select Festival as a 17 year-old, he didn't really know what to expect, but he did know that if he wanted to make this team he had to play a grittier role.
"I wasn't really focused on making the team, I just wanted to get better as a player. I saw it more as an opportunity to learn," he said. "I went after the checking role because I thought it was an easier role for me to fit into. You could tell they already knew who their top six guys were. They were older, better, had played more hockey. They were the go-to guys. I had never been a bottom six player, but if I wanted a shot at making this team, I had to figure it out."
So he decided to try to use his size and his speed to his advantage by hitting people whenever the opportunity presented itself. He had no expectations and just tried to do his own thing and learn whatever he could along the way.
"I gained a lot of confidence when I made the first cut after the scrimmages and got to play against the guys from Russia," said Kreider. "I felt like I had a better chance of making the team than I did going into the camp, but I still wasn't sure. I did know I'd have a better start to my freshman year though because of the experience...even if I didn't make the team."
Kreider grew up a diehard fan of the Boston University Terriers, but chose to attend and play for it's rival school, Boston College.
"When it came time to make a decision, everything about BC felt right. BC and BU were neck and neck. They're both great schools," he said. "I liked the coaches at both, I liked the players at both, but BC just felt like the right fit."
While he was drafted by the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, major juniors was never an option for him as he wanted to stay close to home having spent two years at his local high school and the next two at Phillips Andover Academy, just 30 minutes away, which offered him a higher caliber of competition on the ice. Plus, there was this little tournament called the Beanpot.
"It was always college for me. Major junior kids grow up in Canada with major junior in their backyard...they were going to those games. I grew up with the Beanpot and the BC-BU rivalry and Harvard and Northeastern and all those teams in my backyard. So, I always dreamt of doing that," explained Kreider. "On top of that I was drafted by a team that was in an entirely French community and I knew no French!"
So, off to the Heights he went hoping he could find a way to contribute.
BC, who had won the National Championship in 2008 was coming off a disappointing 2009 season where they failed to even make the national tournament. The upperclassmen who had endured the highs and lows were focused on getting back on top and Kreider fed off their positive energy and rose to the challenge.
"It was an adjustment, but an enjoyable one because it was so hard and demanding that I had to commit myself to go harder at the little things," said Kreider. "I had to up the ante, play different roles, be a sponge and soak it all in."
It was slow going for him at first as he tried to figure out his role on the team only notching 2 goals and three assists in his first 14 games, but in early December he got a good kick in the pants when he got the call to go to Team USA's WJC final selection camp in Grand Forks.
Still not certain he'd make the team, he went to North Dakota wanting to take advantage of every opportunity, make an impression and hopefully make the team and earn an all expenses paid trip to Saskatoon.
"Everything kind of fell into place, I guess, at North Dakota," said Kreider. "I had the opportunity to play on the power play with Cam Fowler shooting pucks and when he shoots pucks it's hard not to tip in pucks or do something productive when you're in front of the net. I could have closed my eyes and he would have banked it off me or something. I got really lucky and was put in a really good spot and was able to make the team."
Team USA breezed through the first three round robin games against Latvia, Slovakia and Switzerland before meeting up with five-time defending champions, Canada, on New Year's Eve.
Kreider had scored four goals in the first three games - three on the power play and one on a penalty shot - and firmly cemented himself as an integral part of this team.
The United States build up a 4-2 lead and let it slip away in the third period as Alex Pietroangelo tied the game at four with just over four minutes left in regulation. The game went into overtime, which solved nothing, and the most exciting game of the tournament thus far would be decided in a shootout and Team USA would lose it's first game of the tournament.
"In retrospect, it was really a good thing because we had that difficult path to the gold medal and we felt we really kind of earned it. We had to play the Finns and we had to play the Swedes. We really had to play the world's best before we got another opportunity to play Canada and the chance to play for gold."
Team USA defeated Finland in the quarterfinals 6-2 and then Sweden in the semifinals 5-2 setting up a gold medal game against Canada. The US built up a 5-3 lead and again let it slip away as Jordan Eberle scored twice in the final three minutes of regulation to force overtime.
With 29 seconds left in the extra session, John Carlson, streaking through the far circle, fired off a no-look wrister and the United States were World Junior Champions.
"We were probably the worst singers in the world so hopefully not too many people heard us sing the National Anthem, but we sang it loud and proud," said Kreider. "We were just so excited."
Beyond the value of playing a checking role and going to the net, Kreider learned about leadership while in Saskatoon.
"We had ten or 11 guys talking in the locker room. Everyone was contributing to the atmosphere, always picking guys up. There was just constant communication," he said. "I really think it played a key role in our success"
He didn't have much time to celebrate his gold medal or his six goals in seven games because just two days later was another once in a lifetime experience - playing hockey at Fenway Park.
"My flight got cancelled from Saskatoon back to Boston, so I had to stay an extra day and I didn't even know if I was going to get to play at Fenway," said Kreider. "I flew in late the night before, went to sleep, woke up and then it was right to pre-game skate at Fenway."
With 38, 472 passionate college hockey fans in the stands, it was hard not to get lost in the atmosphere.
"It was an extremely special experience, but once the puck drops it's a hockey game. Doesn't matter where you're playing it," Kreider said. "BU was ready, we weren't. We were enjoying it, staring at the crowd, the lights... We just thought we were gonna go out there, knock the puck around and come away with a W. I don't know why. It was just the whole atmosphere kind of took over and we were just drunk by the whole experience. Took us two periods for us to figure out we needed to bear down to win."
Boston University had built up a 3-0 lead, but in the third period Boston College managed to make it a one goal game. The Eagles poured on the pressure, but it wasn't enough as BU escaped with the victory.
"When people ask me about playing at Fenway, I tell them it was a great game and an awesome experience, but it would have been better if we won," he said. "I'm always going to remember that we lost to BU at Fenway Park."
In February, Kreider saw another dream realized as he played in the Beanpot, the annual tournament between all four DI schools in Boston - BC,BU, Harvard and Northeastern - held at the TD Garden.
"I couldn't wait to play at the Garden, it was just like playing at Fenway," he said. "I grew up watching the Sox and I grew up watching the Bruins dreaming of playing on that ice."
The experience at Fenway prepared him for playing at the Garden as he was better able to focus on the game and enjoy the experience, but not get lost in it. BC defeated Harvard in the first round and faced BU in the championship game. Another close contest, but this time BC would walk away victorious and with bragging rights for the next year.
Kreider continued to improve as the season went on and was more confident filling a variety of roles for the Eagles. Because of his decision over the summer to become a more versatile player, he was now being used in all situations, earning significant ice time and learning the importance of being a team player.
"There were times in high school when I was a point grabber but the most fun way to play is just playing to win," he said. "Doesn't matter who gets the goals. It's about winning games and playing as much hockey as possible that's what it all comes down to. Don't get me wrong, goals are great, but it's all about the W."
Next up for Kreider and the BC Eagles were the Hockey East playoffs. They dispatched the Minutemen from the University of Massachusetts in the first round to advance to the semifinals at the Garden. They defeated Vermont to move on to the championship game against Maine.
Another high scoring nail biter, the Black Bears forced overtime, but the Eagles picked up another trophy and added another banner in the rafters of the Garden on their way to a number one seed in the national tournament.
Their first opponent was Alaska, who they managed to beat in one of their sloppiest games of the season.
"I actually don't think the coaches were terribly happy with us, but we lived to fight another day," explained Kreider.
Next up, they'd face Yale. In one of the more unbelievable games of season let alone the tournament, BC held a 6-4 lead heading into the final period and scored three more early in the third to lead 9-4 with 12 minutes left in regulation. From that point on Yale hit them with everything they had scoring three goals of their own to make it 9-7. BC managed to hang on and punch their ticket to Detroit for the Frozen Four.
"I think we all agreed that they were the best team we had played all year. They were really well coached. They were the only team that could really match us on the transition. Their run and gun offense, their style of play really was so effective, so deadly. They had so many good players. We didn't really expect it," said Kreider. "They were a very good team and we kind of let out a sigh of relief after that game that we made it past them."
After those three games he finally understood what it meant to play playoff hockey.
"Everyone was telling me it was going to be different but I had no idea," he said. "Everyone was just sacrificing their bodies and finishing their checks and playing harder than I had ever seen them play."
He also learned the importance of consistency.
"The Yale game was a big lesson in that respect. We got a little cocky in the third period with that five goal lead and then, before you know it, they're nipping at our heels. That could have been the most amazing comeback ever," Kreider explained. "Just goes to show you that all you need is a few bounces and you're back in the game which is why it's important to compete the same way despite the score no matter if you're winning or losing."
The next stop for the BC Eagles was Detroit's Ford Field and another game on a temporary ice surface.
"We had learned our lesson at Fenway," said Kreider. "Going into another "outdoor" game the key was to simplify. Get pucks in, get pucks deep, don't do anything cute...especially on the PP. Just shoot pucks."
And shoot pucks they did as they defeated Miami University 7-1 to advance to the championship game against Wisconsin.
It was a very fast paced and physical game filled with end-to-end rushes testing each team's endurance and creativity. Boston College held a one goal lead heading into the third period and prepared for a battle, they gave it everything they had.
It worked out as BC defeated Wisconsin, the highest scoring offense in the country by a score of 5-0 to claim their second National Championship in three years.
The celebration continued back in Boston as they were invited to throw out the first pitch at a Red Sox game and be recognized at a Boston Bruins playoff game. They were even honored with a parade through the Heights followed by a ceremony on BC's campus to recognize their accomplishments throughout the entire season with all their trophies on display. It was here that Kreider got the shock of his life.
"For whatever reason, Coach Brown decided that that would be a good time to whisper in my ear that he got a call from USA Hockey and they were considering me for the World Championships," he said. "My first thought was 'Is this a bad joke??' I've been doing nothing for two weeks!"
While he was watching the NHL playoffs anyway, he now had a stronger rooting interest for some teams so that everything would fall into place and he'd have a better chance of getting the call to go to Germany. Meanwhile, he had to get back to business and hit the gym and start skating again so he'd be ready to go if he got the opportunity.
Two and a half weeks later, Kreider's phone rang. His immediate elation was quickly replaced by nervous energy. Would he get along with his new teammates? Was he in good enough shape? Questions swirled through his brain as he prepared for an experience that a year earlier, as a high school senior, he could have never even dreamed of.
"I was talking with my mom before I left thinking, 'Can you imagine if I won a medal?! This is the US Men's National Team! ...and I'm on it!'"
Always looking for an opportunity to learn and improve himself as a player, he knew he wasn't going to play a lot, but he wanted to take advantage of the experience.
"I was ready to keep my mouth shut for the entire 21 days we were there," said Kreider. "I was told by Coach Brown to just soak it all in and I took that as shut up and listen and just be a sponge, but I was able to open up a bit and be comfortable with those guys. They were awesome."
Former BC Eagle, Scott Clemenson sought him out early on and helped him feel more comfortable as they talked about BC and college hockey and how things had changed and, in some cases, hadn't changed.
His roommate was Jack Johnson, a former college star at Michigan, an NHLer, an Olympian and Team USA's captain.
"He talked a lot which surprised me," Kreider said. "He's by far the best player I've ever played with and gave great advice too. He's not that much older than me but he seems like he is."
Kreider's first game on the Men's National Team would happen in an atmosphere that he had become quite familiar with throughout the year - a temporary ice surface. Team USA played the host country at Veltins Arena, a soccer stadium, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
"At this point I'm sick of them!" said Kreider. "But at the same time...I had played hockey in a baseball stadium and a football stadium...might as well play in a soccer stadium!"
While Team USA didn't fair so well, ending up in the relegation round and finishing the tournament in 13th place, Kreider learned more than he ever expected to.
"The D-corps I was going up against were 6-5, built and mobile and I was scared to even look at them. I was almost scared at the idea of making it to the next round for fear we'd have to play Russia who had pretty much their entire olympic team there," he said. "I've got Ovechkin's poster up in my room...I'm not ready to play that guy!"
He also realized the importance of a strong work ethic.
"They work so hard. They have this easy going attitude, but the minute they hit the ice they were locked in," said Kreider. "I've never seen guys work so hard in my life. You think you're working hard and you've hit top gear but then there's this other level that you can reach."
Once he arrived back in the United States and was able to look back on his season and all the experiences he had in just 12 very short months, he realized just how much he had learned.
Everything from being a versatile player, the importance of leadership and supporting your teammates, to playing consistently and working your tail off every day, but Kreider learned one more thing that some might say was the most important of all.
"What I learned is that i'm not ready...at all and I was ready to go back to school and I was ready to get back in the gym and ready to just keep working, especially on my hands." he said. "If there was one thing that I figured out that I had, it was my skating ability and my size, but I still don't know how to use my size the best that I can and I could still definitely get faster and take off at the right times, but the skill side of it needs so much work it's not even funny. I couldn't tell you how much I learned from those guys and what I took away from that experience."
Almost immediately, he hit the weight room and was on the ice as much as possible even though his coaches at BC wanted him to take at least three weeks off after the World Championships.
"I was a little too active during those three weeks because I wanted to get after it. I had seen how hard those guys worked and I didn't want to miss an opportunity," said Kreider. "But then I actually hit it too hard and ended up on the couch for two or three weeks with a form of mono. So, I also learned you need your rest."
This summer, he again attended Development Camp with the New York Rangers and Team USA's WJC Evaluation Camp and while there were discussions about the possibility of turning professional after such a successful season, Kreider wouldn't even entertain the idea.
"When I was at Worlds, I remember this one conversation I had with some of the guys and they were telling me, 'Dude, stay in college as long as you can...I wish I was still there...there's no rush to become a pro', " he explained. "Yes, it's an amazing lifestyle and you're blessed, but you don't get your college career back and they wanted to make sure I enjoyed the experience while I could. That's when I realized that not only am I not ready to play at that level like I want to, but I'm not ready to give up the social experience of college either. It's not even up for debate."
Kreider has a lot to be thankful for from this past year and he's got a nice little display in his room to remind him. On the right hangs his draft jersey and hat and on the left hangs his WJC jersey with his gold medal. In the middle, is a plaque with some pictures of the tournament and the championship celebration. Above, hangs a pair of sticks signed by everyone on the gold medal winning team and below, hangs a stick that he turned into a hat rack with a spot for the ones he received for winning the Beanpot, the Hockey East Championship, the NCAA East Regional and the NCAA National Championship.
As he says, "It might be a little self-absorbed, but hey...it's my room!"
He gave his National Championship jersey to his aunt for all of her support and later next month when he receives his National Championship ring it will go in the top drawer of his dresser where he keeps all his special things.
While some people might be experiencing a championship hangover, Kreider says the World Championships cured him of that.
"I had gotten used to winning, but I saw how mad the NHL guys were getting at the losses and I didn't want to lose...I don't like losing. All it takes is one key loss to give you a kick in the pants. Sometimes you need to lose to understand the importance of winning and I know I can't get complacent - hard not to because it was a great year - but at the same time, I don't want that to be the best year of my career.
This year, he wants to repeat the success from last year but be even better.
"We can't just do it again the same," said Kreider. "Everything has to get better - winning the Hockey East regular season champiosnhip would be nice too - but we have to keep pushing and keeping going for more and improving in whatever way we can. Whatever happens this season at BC or in Buffalo [at the WJC] , it won't be for a lack of trying, especially on my part."
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Check back later for some video clips from this interview that didn't make it into the article.
Julie
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@JulieRobenhymer
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