Brenden Datema has committed to Michigan Tech University for the 2019-2020 season. A goal scoring defenseman, Brenden is able to generate a lot of scoring chances from the blue line. He has also been noted for his strength and toughness. He earned at “A” grade from our scouts at the NAHL Showcase. One of the biggest hockey events of the year.
Lacing up his skates for the first time at age 3, Brenden tells us how he started playing:
“I got into hockey while watching the Red Wings play when I was very young. They were going to the playoffs every year and it just got me excited to turn on the tv and see them playing. My favorite player growing up was Nicklas Lidstrom. Everything about that guy was professional. Growing up and watching him shaped me into the defenseman I am today. My earliest memory from hockey would be begging my parents to take me to the rink on Sundays when ice was optional. I was just a kid who couldn’t get out of the rink.”
Brenden takes us through his recruiting process:
“My recruitment process went very smoothly. I talked to a lot of well-respected schools. A few of them were Boston University, Minnesota State University, and the University of New Hampshire. The only visit I went on was Michigan Tech. I had planned on other visits but when I visited Tech there was no way I could say no.”
Elaborating more on why Michigan Tech was the right fit:
“I decided on Michigan Tech because of their coaches, their facility, the schooling, and it being a hockey school. Coach Joe Shawhan has a very good track record and has the program going in the right direction and I can’t wait to be a part of it. Coach Chris Brooks and Coach Dallas Steward also are very good at what they do. I spent the most time with them on my visit and I took in everything they told me about the university and what it takes to be a husky. My parents would’ve supported me with any school I picked, but they were extremely happy when I called them and told them I was going to be a husky.” As a Michigander, “I am very fortunate to be playing in my home state. It’s been a dream of mine forever and it’s going to be very fun to finally live it.”
Brenden played for Belle Tire U18 before ending up in the NAHL playing for the Amarillo Bulls, he talks about the transition:
“The transition from U18 hockey to the juniors had its challenges. I started the 17-18 season in the USHL and my two months there taught me a lot about what I had to do to play juniors. I got to Amarillo and things were just as serious. I credit a smooth transition to the NAHL to my teammates last year. We had great leadership, they taught me a lot and would answer every question I had.”
So far, Brenden has a total of 44 points this season versus his 9 points last season with the Bulls. He tells us about his success:
“I knew how much it would take to make such strides, so I took this summer very seriously when it came to workouts, skating lessons, eating, and getting enough sleep every night. I held myself accountable to make the best decisions for myself even if that meant missing out on fun things with friends. I knew getting up early and grinding would benefit me more than anything else. I still have a lot to prove and will be taking advantage of everything I can do to make even more strides.”
He continues to stay focused to prepare for NCAA hockey:
“I’ve been spending the majority of my day at the rink this year to prepare myself for NCAA hockey. I’ve been doing two-a-days on the ice and I’ve been going over game video with George Lewis, our assistant here. I’m very fortunate to have coaches like Rocky Russo and George Lewis to help me better my game throughout the year and make adjustments when I have to.”
We asked Brenden about any adversity he has had to overcome:
“The toughest challenge I’ve faced in hockey would be losing a teammate. I played with Cooper Salsbury during a spring season and he sadly passed shortly after due to a heart problem. It made me realize that there’s a lot more to life than hockey and that you should cherish every moment with teammates, who are basically your brothers. It makes you appreciate every day and every time you get out on that ice even more.”
Photo credit: Hickling Images
