Mite Minor 'AAA' hockey adopts one of its own
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

1st Lt. Mike Ruckdaschel drops the puck between Jared Compise, left, of Hamburg, and Devin Kasperek of Amherst to open the annual "Top Gun" hockey tournament Friday afternoon at the Amherst Pepsi Center. Photo by David F. Sherman

Amherst Youth Hockey has always been a huge part of Mike Ruckdaschel's life.

As the oldest of three brothers, Ruckdaschel played defense for the Amherst Knights from house through travel hockey then played four years at defense for Williamsville North where he was on back-to-back Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation championship teams.

But since August, Ruckdaschel's relationship with Amherst Youth Hockey, and especially the Knights players and families, has taken on an entirely different meaning.

Ruckdaschel, a 1st Lt. with the United States Army who is stationed south of Baghdad, Iraq, is the Amherst Mite Minor "AAA" Knights' (1999s) adopted soldier.

Ruckdaschel, on leave from Jan. 5-21, was honored for his service by dropping the ceremonial puck at the opening game of the Top Gun Tournament held between the Knights and Hamburg Hawks last Friday afternoon on the Amherst Pepsi Center's Feature Rink.

1st Lt. Mike Ruckdaschel salutes the flag during the playing of the national anthem prior to the start of Friday's game. Photo by David F. Sherman

"Youth hockey has been such a big part of my life," said Ruckdaschel, 24, at a post-game reception. "I have friends that I still hang out with when I'm home that I played youth hockey with. I have life-long friends through youth hockey. It's like a second family. I can't get enough of it... I've been kind of adopted into the team so it gives me something to do while I'm over there. It makes me feel like I'm part of something here."

Ever since Ruckdaschel was deployed to Iraq, the Knight families have sent Ruckdaschel weekly care packages with items ranging from eye drops to candy. Buffalo Sabres Director of Public Relations Mike Gilbert, whose son, Mark, plays on the team, sent Ruckdaschel a new Sabres flag autographed by the entire Sabres' roster along with Sabres pucks and hats. Sabre Daniel Briere, whose son, Carson, plays, gave the Ruckdaschel family four 100-level tickets to Saturday's Sabres' home game with Tampa Bay. In turn, Ruckdaschel e-mails the Knight families.

Pictured at the airport are Barbara Ruckdaschel, Mike's mother; Mike; Maria Nunziato, and Mike's brother, Nathan.

Knights coach John Hannon is the brainchild behind the team adopting Ruckdaschel. Hannon is familiar with the Ruckdaschel family. His youngest son, Jake, went through Amherst Youth Hockey with Mike's youngest brother, Nathan. Hannon met Mike Ruckdaschel at the Pepsi Center's pro shop. When Mike told Hannon he was going to Iraq, Hannon sprung into action.

"I know the family well so I thought it would be nice to have him as our adopted player," said Hannon. "So many people have given so much of their time and they can't give enough. Everyone's so gung ho about it. It's also been a great team bonding experience. It's brought the families together."

"It's mutually beneficial," added parent Maria Sidorski, who sends Ruckdaschel every Knights youth article that appear in The Bee. "The kids don't understand about the war but they wear his initials and the American flag on their helmet and know he's fighting for something. In a way, he's like the first hero they've had."

"It means everything that they've supported him," said Mike's mother, Barbara.

Ruckdaschel graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in history. Through Canisius College's ROTC program, he was commissioned as an officer on May 20, 2004. He trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for 10 months then transferred to Fort Drum, N.Y. where he is a member of the 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Williamsville South graduate Mike Nunziato, who played summer lacrosse with Ruckdaschel, is in the same unit. Ruckdaschel will serve in Iraq for a year but a second tour is still up in the air.

"It's kind of an expected thing," Ruckdaschel said. "It's my first appointment but I know guys who are on their second or third. It's what we do."

Being a solider is something Ruckdaschel always wanted ever since watching "G.I. Joe" cartoons as a youngster.

"I have pride in my country and I'm doing my part," he said. "It's a job I chose to do. When you sign up for a job like that, you know you could be deployed and not go to the most desirable place but you go because it's your job and I feel a responsibility for every American to have some kind of patriotism."

Several people spoke up about Ruckdaschel at the Knights' reception.

Jeff Slick, a Gulf War veteran, said Mike is an American hero.

"I think about what Mike and his comrades have to do every day in Iraq and I try to not to get emotional," he said. "Half the time you're stressed, half the time you're bored and you're always under the constant stress of some violence. Mike would never admit this I'm sure, but he and the thousands of serviceman and servicewomen serving with him are true American heroes. They don't do it for money or fame. They do it for love of the country, family, friends and comrades back in the trenches in Iraq. Wherever duty calls we're behind you and support you."

"This is a wonderful project you've taken on," said Amherst Youth Hockey President Bob Schreck to the Knight families. "He is a part of Amherst Youth Hockey."

Ruckdaschel received a 2006-07 Knights banner supporting him and his fellow soldiers in Iraq and a duplicate Knights jersey which will be worn by selected players at the USA Hockey Boys U12 and U14 Tier I and Tier II National Championships held March 28 - April 1 at the Pepsi Center.

He also took home a gold medal from the Wayne Gretzky International Hockey Tournament that the Knights won on Dec. 29, a tournament which Ruckdaschel was in several times growing up but never won.

Mike is not the only Ruckdaschel serving his country. His younger, brother, Matt, who also played defense for the Knights and Williamsville North, enlisted in the Army and left Dec. 26 for Camp Casey on the border of North Korea. The other Ruckdaschel son, Nathan, who also played defense for the Knights and North, attends Bowling Green University.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com