Hometown hockey rivals skate together for Eielson team

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Peter Reft
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Two hockey players who competed against each other throughout youth hockey found themselves on the same side of the ice for the first time after 22 years apart. 

Lt. Col. David Michaud, the 353rd Combat Training Squadron commander, and retired Master Sgt. Chris Malenius started playing together last year as defensemen for Eielson Air Force Base's hockey team.

Malenius said he was reviewing paperwork for the hockey team when he recognized the name of Michaud's hometown in Minnesota.

The North Star State natives started talking about where they came from and found out their rival hometowns were 55 miles from each other.

"We definitely shared the same ice growing up through pewees, bantams and high school hockey," said Malenius.

Michaud said his introduction with Malenius brought back memories of his youth hockey years.

"Our first game against each other was probably 30 years ago," said Michaud. "I used to love going to tournaments in the area he grew up in because the Hockey Hall of Fame is there and the Holiday Inn was the best place to stay while playing up north."

Malenius and Michaud are long-time hockey players who share a love for the sport.
"One of my favorite things about hockey is the camaraderie with the guys on the ice," said Malenius. "It's like a military family where you watch each other's backs."

Michuad expressed how the game reminds him of his younger days and when he used to play Division I hockey for the Air Force Academy.

Michaud, Malenius and the rest of the Eielson hockey team have worked hard to prepare for the upcoming 2014 Commander's Cup game. Their efforts will decide which team comes out on top of the 9-to-9 tie between Fort Wainwright and Eielson throughout their 20-year hockey rivalry.

"This is my seventh Commander's Cup after being stationed at Eielson three times," said Michaud, "Of all the Air Force teams I played with, the current Eielson team is near the top of the list when it comes to skill."

The puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks.