Krocs are everywhere, including on this year’s San Diego State University men’s ice hockey team. The Kroc Center Ice Arena remains a Mecca for aspiring hockey players from both East County and South County.
Patrick Henry High School alumnus Shane Ege learned to skate at the Kroc Center when he was 6. He later joined the San Diego Saints program and was able to have his own hockey adventure, which included winning the 2015 Southern California Amateur Hockey Association Pee Wee B championship.
The banner still hangs in the Kroc Center Ice Arena. Ege’s name is on it. It reads: #19 S. Ege.
“That’s me,” he said with pride while pointing to his name.
Ege is a now freshman at SDSU and a charter member of the Aztecs’ history-making American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 1 men’s team.
“I always wanted to play hockey in college and SDSU is close to me,” said Ege, a right wing with the Aztecs. “I’ve attended Junior camps, but at the end of the day, I just couldn’t leave. I love the beach, too.”
Ege advanced as far as the AAA level with the Saints before aging out.
“I love everything about hockey,” the 18-year-old forward said. “It was the only game I thought I could push myself hard at. I tried playing lacrosse and soccer, but hockey was the only game I had a real passion for.”
Ege also proves that hockey is for everyone, and that anyone can get hooked on the sport anywhere in the world.
“My family is from Guam, we’re Pacific Islanders,” he relayed. “I watched the Boston Bruins on TV. Later I found out one of my uncles actually played hockey. He had some old jerseys. They were so retro. I knew I had to play.”
The spark that got him going is still burning.
“My goal is to play,” he said. “I want to be on the ice and help lead this new foundation at Division 1. I’m going to be here until I’m a senior. I want to help the team grow and have fun doing it.”
