If you were to summarize Air Force defenseman Sam Brennan in a few words, it would be steady and smart.
The senior is a three-time AHCA Scholar-Athlete and runs neck and neck with co-captain Luke Robinson in the race to a 4.0 gpa. He’s a productive player for the Falcons as well. If he plays a full season he’ll put up at least 10 points, play solid defense and be a key cog on both special teams units.
Brennan took time recently to chat with AFAFlightPath.com founder Chris Bayee for our latest installment of One-Timers.
>> READ about Class of 2024: Adams |Balboa| Brown | Gavin | Horn | Marti | Robinson | Rowe |
Tell us about your path through hockey.
I played for the Little Caesars AAA program in the Detroit area. In high school, the public school in my area was one of the better teams so it worked out for me. It helped my confidence and helped me love the game more.
Then you got a preview of a few of your Air Force teammates in junior hockey at Lone Star of the NAHL.
I played with Andrew Decarlo both years there. Of all the people I know at the Academy, he’s the guy I’ve known the longest. Mitchell Digby and I were D partners during my second year of juniors. (They also play together at Air Force)
Who were some of your biggest influences in the game?
Chris Tamer, who played in NHL, was one of my coaches growing up. His son goes to West Point. He doesn’t play there but we played together in juniors. His dad is a fantastic coach. I was very blessed to have him as a mentor from a young age. He was one of the few coaches in youth hockey who could keep a level head. It makes me want to coach my kid if he or she wants to play hockey.
My high school coaches – Paul Moggach and Kurt Kivisto – were the same way. Both had a pretty profound impact on growth. As a freshman, I started off as a follower, and I ended up as a captain. They helped with my leadership growth. I probably learned what not to do from that experience. Then my junior coach, Dan Wildfong at Lone Star – he’s one of the greatest hockey minds I’ve ever been around. He knew the game down to the detail, stick placement, and where to push on guy to move him off the puck, things like that.
Who were your favorite players? Did you have a favorite team growing up?
I am a huge Red Wings fan. When they won the Cup in 2008 it was one of the best days of my life. In 2009, when they lost it was one of the worst. Nicklas Lidstrom always was my favorite player growing up. His teammates called him the perfect human being. A leader, a father, he did everything right in his life in general. I always wore No. 5 until I came here because that was Chuck Delich’s number.
Did you have any family in the military? What was the draw of the Academy for you?
My uncle flew F-15s. He was the person who introduced me to the Air Force Academy. I had never heard about it until my freshman year of high school. You get a great education and can develop as an individual and leader. I didn’t want to go to a traditional party school.
I made the decision that I wanted to go to the Academy more than any other school. I made up my mind before the end of my freshman year of high school. I committed as a senior before going to juniors. … I knew I was going if I didn’t mess anything up.
What are your favorite parts of the Academy?
The opportunities that it has. One of my favorites is the hockey. Being able to play at the Division I level while getting a great education. … The playoff run my sophomore year when we went to Army and swept them then reached the (Atlantic Hockey) championship game. … My freshman year I did the jump program with Luke Robinson. I did five solo jumps, that was a fun experience.
After my sophomore year, I went to Italy for my summer program to learn about different jobs on a base. That was a really cool experience. I’m going to take my fiancée and show her the mountains and cool cities.
In terms of day-to-day life, I joke about my salad at lunch as the most consistent part of my day. The best constant. The people are pretty cool. I’ve made best friends for life. Met my fiancée in basic training. We were next-door neighbors. My roommate jokes that from Day 1 I came into our room and told him, “She’s hot.” I figured if she like me with a shaved head, she’s a keeper.
Do you have a favorite hockey road trip?
Whichever trip that I’m on or the next one. It offers such a great opportunity to get away from daily life at the Academy. Robby and I talk about how much more sleep we get. … Going to Arizona State last year was pretty fun. Any time we go out to Army is a favorite. There’s something about the crowd chanting West Point Rejects. It energizes you when the whole building is against you.
What do you like to do in your free time?
My fiancée and I enjoy camping and hiking. We’ve explored all of Colorado, some of Utah and a little bit of South Dakota. Every weekend in August and a few in September we were out exploring some new area of Colorado. After finals last year, we had a 96-hour pass and we went hiking in Utah, which is its own kind of cool. I enjoy getting active, hiking and camping.
Who is your funniest Falcons teammate?
There are a lot of guys who crack me up. Maiszon Balboa. He was an underrated funny guy until sophomore year but he has a lot of good one-liners. DeCarlo is also a funny guy. He isn’t as intentional about it as Maiszon but he’s funny, too.
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