SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – Notre Dame junior forward Evan Werner\u2019s path to college hockey has been anything but traditional.<\/p>\n
Born and raised in Flower Mound, Texas, Werner said people often react with surprise when they learn about his background. When people find out he\u2019s from Texas and plays hockey, it\u2019s often met with laughs and questions like \u201cIs there even hockey in Texas?\u201d<\/p>\n
While the Dallas Stars have helped grow the sport in the Lone Star State, Werner\u2019s path hasn\u2019t been easy. Coming from a non-traditional hockey market, he\u2019s had to work harder to earn his place and reach where he is today.<\/p>\n
Early hockey development required extensive travel<\/p>\n
Growing up involved extensive travel, often leaving the state to get lessons and development opportunities, Werner said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe traveled quite a bit. A lot of plane rides, a lot of car rides, some in Texas but mostly we had to travel out of state for tournaments that we had to go to, so a lot of traveling and a lot of time spent in different states,\u201d Werner said.<\/p>\n
His hockey roots trace back to his family\u2019s Canadian connections. Werner\u2019s mother\u2019s side of the family is originally from Toronto, where his uncle and grandfather both played hockey. His mother was a figure skater.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as I could get on skates, they took that opportunity and threw me on skates,\u201d Werner said.<\/p>\n
Texas hockey scene larger than expected<\/p>\n
Despite stereotypes about Texas, Werner said the hockey scene is more developed than people realize.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lot bigger than people think. I think people think Texas is just a bunch of cowboys and a lot of land, which it is, but there\u2019s quite a few rinks down there and there\u2019s one AAA organization there in Dallas where I\u2019m from, and the rest there are a lot of AA organizations,\u201d Werner said.<\/p>\n
Transfer brings Werner to Notre Dame<\/p>\n
This season marks Werner\u2019s first year at Notre Dame after spending his sophomore season at Michigan and beginning his college career at Colorado College.<\/p>\n
Werner chose Notre Dame because it would be the best place for him to succeed for the next two years of his college eligibility. He said he liked the coaching staff and their philosophy.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously the school speaks for itself. Very prestigious university and great things to offer,\u201d Werner said.<\/p>\n
Werner said his first time on the ice at Notre Dame had a special feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone says it has a feeling when you get to campus and I think they are right. You just feel the community around here. It\u2019s pretty special, and obviously an amazing rink here,\u201d Werner said.<\/p>\n
Message for young Texas hockey players<\/p>\n
For young hockey players from Texas watching his journey, Werner offered encouragement.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep going. You can get to where you want to be anywhere. As long as you continue to put the effort in and give your time to it and really care and be passionate about something, I think you can truly get to where you want to be,\u201d Werner said. \u201cKeep going. Be grateful and enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n
You can watch Sabrina Hoover\u2019s full interview with Werner in the video below:<\/p>\n
Sabrina Hoover sits down with Notre Dame junior forward Evan Werner, whose journey to college hockey is anything but traditional.<\/p>\n
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