DeKalb | The Div. II hockey team has a player who loves the challenge of an 80-mile-per-hour slap shot: junior Alex Hare.

In his first year as starting goaltender last season, Hare went 18-8-1 with a 3.22 goals against average and an 89.7 save percentage. This season, Hare has picked up right where he left off. He is 2-1 with a 3.08 GAA and a 92.03 save

percentage.

As a goalie, Hare recognizes the position is unlike any other on the ice.

“It’s a little bit different if you have never done it,” Hare said. “Some people can shoot it pretty hard. It definitely is weird when you see one coming at your head or whatever the case may be. It is all about focus. Every single shot is fast, but if you can keep your focus they really aren’t that fast.”

Hare idolizes Martin Brodeur, a 10-time NHL All-Star who plays for the New Jersey Devils.

“He has the most wins, he’s won championships, but he is always the goalie that is looked at to always win, and he always impacts the game,” Hare said.

The junior goaltender even wears Brodeur’s number, 30.

Hare always wants to have an impact on the game. Earlier this season, his teammate, senior forward Nick Leon, felt Hare did just that.

“He stood on his head in that first game, keeping it 3-2 when it easily could have been six or seven to two,” Leon said after NIU’s first game of the season.

Head coach Chuck Rinaldo loves what he has seen out of his junior goalie.

“Overall Alex is a very talented goalie,” Rinaldo said. “I think he has really just settled into kind of knowing what’s expected of him. He knows what he is capable of and he has taken on somewhat of a leadership role back there where he knows that we are going to depend on him and he is always up for the challenge.”

Hare likes knowing his teammates and coaches trust him. He likes being an impact player who can change a game.

“I think it is important to be able to hold your own back there,” Hare said. “At this level and higher it is important to have a goalie that you can rely on. Sometimes a goalie can be the key to a win.”

Hare feels his success in the net can be attributed to certain skill sets.

“I have been known to have quickness, and quickness is the most important asset for a goalie, no matter what level it is,” Hare said. “You don’t want to do too much, it’s all just about key fundamentals…. Fundamentals for a goalie are what make you machine-like. Your fundamentals have to be good in order for you to be consistent.”

Rinaldo believes Hare will be a vital player for the Huskies this season.

“Everybody has high expectations for Alex. He is a phenomenal goalie. He doesn’t have many bad games,” Rinaldo said. “Alex is a key part to our success; we just need to keep him healthy and happy.”