No one ever said being a goalie was easy -- particularly being a backup goalie. Over the past three seasons, that is the precisely the role
Matt McNeely has found himself in while playing behind Aaron Crandall as a sophomore and record-breaking
Kasimir Kaskisuo the last two winters. McNeely debuted in style with the Bulldogs in 2012-13 -- UMD's final year of Western Collegiate Hockey Association competition -- and posted a team-leading 2.67 goals against average in 24 starts. Since then, he has continued to provide the Bulldogs with first-rate puckstopping support and among his 16 appearances over that stretch were a pair of victories over arch-rival Minnesota (6-2 on Nov. 24, 2013 in Minneapolis and 2-1 on Oct. 17, 2014 in Duluth) along with a 3-0 road blanking of then 12-ranked Notre Dame on Oct. 12, 2014).
In 41 career outings, the Lakeville, Minn., native, has posted a 2.65 goals against average and a .902 saves percentage – figures that both rank among the top five on UMD's all-time charts.
McNeely and the seven other Bulldog seniors will make their final AMSOIL Arena appearances ever as collegians when UMD hosts Miami University in a best-of-three National Collegiate Hockey Conference quarterfinal round playoff series.
HIS FAVORITESOpponent: Minnesota
Opponent Arena: Mariucci Arena (Minnesota)
Road Trip: Fort Myers/Estero, Fla.
Professional Athlete: Martin Brodeur
Professional Team: Minnesota Wild
Pastime: Golfing, playing Playstation and having fun with my friends.
College Course: African Storytelling
Prized Possession: All my hockey masks
TV Show: Arrested Development
Singer or Group: Dierks Bentley
Book (Author): Transfer of Power (Vince Flynn)
Food: Steak and my dad's homemade rice.
Movie: Inglorious Basterds
Actor/Actress: Daniel Craig and Brad Pitt/ Jennifer Lawrence
Restaurant: Hanabi Japanese Cuisine (Duluth)
Vacation Spot: Anywhere in the north woods.
Video Game: Call of Duty
Mobile App: Instagram
Website: NHL.com
PERSONALLY SPEAKINGWhy I Chose UMD: The city and the way it embraces our hockey team.
First Played Competitive Hockey: Around around age 3 or 4.
Hockey Strength/Weakness: My work ethic on the ice/My rebound control
Game Day Ritual: I play PlayStation and have a cup of coffee.
Most Memorable UMD Hockey Moment: Beating Minnesota in the North Star College Cup last year.
Why I Wear No. 36: I wanted to be different than other goalies.
Best Opposing Player I've Ever Faced: (Former Boston University forward) Jack Eichel.
Pet Peeve: Slow and idiotic drivers who should have their license's revoked.
Biggest Fear: Letting "Bug" (
Austin Farley) shoot a muffin past me.
My First Job: With the Lakeville Baseball Association field crew when I was 15.
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Marcus Luttrell
What Most People Don't Know About Me: I can cook Minute Rice in 58 seconds.
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: I wouldn't be so hairy.
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My hard hat and lunch pail.
Sport I'd Like to Try Someday: Handball
The Best Thing About College Hockey: The student sections and the chance to get an education.
Influences On My Athletic Career: My father and teammates who push me to be better everyday.
Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Work hard and be a good teammate even if things aren't going your way.
Post-UMD Plans: Join the Navy and become a Navy SEAL.
