On Oct. 26, the St. Olaf men’s hockey team took on Bethany Lutheran in their non-conference season opener. The game got off to a great start for starting forward Drew Andrews, who tallied two goals in the opening period. Andrews would go on to score his third goal of the night late in the third period to seal the match as a draw, marking his first collegiate hat trick.
Andrews’ teammates were ecstatic following the performance, attributing some of his success to the fact that the game fell on his 30th birthday, a major milestone. When asked for comment, Andrews said the hat trick was one of the best presents he could ask for.
“To get out there and play the way I did is always exciting, but to have my family in attendance for my birthday made it that much more special,” the freshman star said. In attendance were his parents, sister and two sons, who were able to finally see their father make his collegiate debut after a long career in the junior hockey system.
Despite being one of the younger players in the MIAC, Andrews’ contributions come as no surprise to his former teammates and coaches.
“He’s just a hard worker in all aspects of the game, a guy everyone wants to have on their team,” said Andrews’ high school teammate, now four years removed from college.
Andrews celebrated the victory with his roommates back in Hoyme Hall, who, like his own sons, have begun to look up to him as a father figure given his age and maturity.