A.J. Macaulay reflects on winding career that's led to Bemidji State's Senior Night
· Yahoo Sports
Feb. 28—BEMIDJI — A.J. Macaulay had a feeling his last opportunity was coming.
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The Bemidji State men's hockey team's senior defenseman was a healthy scratch for the Beavers' first 26 games this season. He was a regular on road trips despite not being in the lineup.
When the Beavers were at the tail end of their seven-game losing streak and 11-game winless skid in January, wholesale changes to the lineup followed. Finally, on Jan. 30 in Marquette, Michigan, Macaulay saw his name in the lineup for the first time this season.
"I told myself that when I got in the lineup, I wasn't going to give them a reason to take me out," he said. "I think it's just playing with toughness and doing all the right things. I'm not going to come in and change the world, but I can be a defenseman they can count on.
"The big thing for me was just trying to stay mentally prepared. I'm not somebody who's going to be out there putting up lots of points and goals, but as long as I keep it simple and build on my last game, it's going to help the team.
Macaulay been listed as the seventh defenseman in each contest, playing a little over 10 and a half minutes per game on average. Macaulay's in-game mistakes have been rare, if he even has any.
Macaulay reached a milestone on Feb. 13 against Minnesota State. He played in his 100th career game, with the first 67 of them coming with Alaska-Fairbanks during his first two seasons in college. It's a career that's led to Saturday night's 6:07 p.m. puck drop at the Sanford Center for Bemidji State's Senior Night.
"Every year, you watch the seniors have their night, but you never think it's going to come too quick," Macaulay said. "But it seems like it was just yesterday I was a freshman. It'll be a special night for all of us."
Macaulay is one of eight seniors who will be honored, joining Vince Corcoan, Kirklan Irey, Adam Flammang, Reilly Funk, Patrik Satosaari, Connor McClennon and Mitch Wolfe.
It's a night when seniors traditionally have a plethora of family and friends in attendance, which is rare for Macaulay. His support system lives roughly 1,000 miles away from Bemidji.
"I have nine family members that made the trip," Macaulay said. "It's really nice to have them here and have their support. My sister came earlier in the year. This is the first time my parents have come this year. They try to come out once a year if they can. It's just special."
Still, getting to this night and getting a chance to play wasn't always guaranteed, in more ways than one.
Playing his first two years with the independent Nanooks, Macaulay had seven goals and 17 assists. He transferred to Bemidji State as a depth defenseman, but had just two assists in 28 games as a junior.
Healthy scratches are an aspect of every team, but Macaulay took his views from the pressboxes in stride as best he could.
"Especially as a senior, you want to play," Macaulay said. "It was tough mentally. I think it just shows how to be resilient and bet on myself. I think it's paying off. I feel good in the lineup every night so far. Definitely going to make sure that every time I'm in the lineup, I'm taking advantage of that."
Macaulay would've been justified in transferring a second time after his first season at BSU. However, he stuck around due to the connections he has with his teammates.
"I've only been here for two years, but I built a lot of strong relationships," Macaulay said. "Every single one of my roomates are top-notch guys. I love every single one of them. Just to know that after being here for two years and those are the types of relationships I built, I can only imagine what it's like to be here for all four and the strength they have in those relationships."
Irey is one of his roommates. He labeled Macaulay as the "ultimate team guy."
"It means the world to us to see him have this kind of run," Irey said. "With A.J., he just shows up to the rink every single day. He's not one to complain about anything. He's going to make everyone around him better, even when he's not playing. That's how we found success early in the season, with guys like him — especially him — showing up to work every single day."
As Macaulay heads into Senior Night, he's done a lot of reflecting on his career over the last four years.
"There's nothing like Division I college hockey," Macaulay said. "There's a lot of guys who want to do it, but you realize you have to be a certain kind of player to play Division I hockey. To have the career that I've had, it means a lot. I'm super grateful that I've had every opportunity I've had to have the career I've had. Hopefully, it doesn't end for another month or so."