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The Tulsa Rampage are pleased to announce that veteran forward Chuck Hofbauer will join the Knights hockey team at Calvin College in the fall. The Plymouth Michigan native earned the opportunity to play for the ACHA program in spite of facing significant obstacles during his last two seasons with the Tulsa organization, which made this advancement a special one in the eyes of the management and coaching staff.
“Being an insulin dependent diabetic is difficult as an athlete
and would warrant some special considerations,” General Manager
Julie Wilson says “but Chuck refused to be held to a standard
any less than his teammates and much of the time, pushed himself
harder than everyone. Honestly his attitude in the face of
adversity is an inspiration.” Hofbauer’s progression on the ice
was strongly evident early in his first season but that was cut
short when a complication from the diabetes required him to
cease any athletic activity for the second half of the year.
Undaunted, Hofbauer kept his focus on hockey and returned to the
Rampage at the beginning of the second season stronger than
ever. “Chuck surprised all of us when he came back for the
second season,” Coach Chad MacLeod said “he was stronger,
faster, and even more determined. That kid is all heart.” His
determination was evident on the ice as Hofbauer excelled in
preseason training and exhibition games. Yet in the first series
of the season he was met with another obstacle. An open ice hit
during the second game resulted in a serious injury that caused
doctors to remove three liters of blood from his abdomen along
with his spleen. “I can’t tell you how hard it was to see him
in the hospital facing another problem,” MacLeod said “he worked
so hard, had such a great attitude, and had overcome so much
before. To watch him get knocked down again was
heartbreaking.” But Hofbauer wasn’t down for the count. He
returned for the last half of the season with the same desire
that won the hearts of the staff early on.
“No
matter what he faced, Chuck never let go of his dream to play
college hockey,” Wilson says “and he didn’t just dream, he kept
picking himself up over and over again to make sure it
happened. No one deserves an opportunity more than he does.
That’s what makes this announcement such a special one to us.”
Julie Wilson
General Manager -
Tulsa Rampage
Vice President -
WSHL Midwest Conference
11063-D South
Memorial, Mailbox 516
Tulsa, Oklahoma
74133
Cell: (918)
671-5312
Fax: (918)
392-0551
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The Tulsa
Rampage announce that forward Chuck Hofbauer will at Calvin
College in the fall.