It’s fairly safe to assume things haven’t gone as planned for Matt Pulver during his first season and a half at Air Force.

Pulver was a highly sought-after recruit who committed to the Falcons when he was a U16 Midget player, an age the Falcons rarely pursue players at.

Pulver’s freshman season was derailed by a shoulder injury after he played in parts of nine games. Attempts to rehab the injury were only partially successful, so he ultimately underwent reconstructive surgery.

This season, he’s fully healed and feeling great, but injuries again affected him. This time it was rash of injuries at the center position that forced him to move over from his normal home on the win.

Through it all Pulver has kept a smile on his face. He’s quick to offer encouragement to anyone he comes in contact with.

He took time recently to fire away at some sweet feeds from The Flight Path.

How has the switch in positions been for you? Have you played center before?

I played (center) my last year in juniors and kind of fell in love with it. I can play whatever the coaches want me to do. I like center because you’re involved in the play in the defensive zone a little bit more.

Coming off the shoulder injury, are things feeling more comfortable for you this season?

Coming into the season, I had nine months to recover and rehab so I felt good. Coming into college hockey after not playing for just about a year, there was definitely a transition process. I think I’ve gotten more comfortable with my game (this season). Every game I think I’m getting a little bit better.

How do you keep the balance between the military training, the academic part, and playing Division I hockey at the Academy?

Time management is key here. They really harp on it when you get here. It’s a learning process, and I don’t think I really understood it until this year. Every second of your day has to be planned out. If you have 15 minutes here, you’re doing homework or rehabbing. It’s tough to deal with but it’s definitely management.

If I were able to visit your hometown, what’s one thing I would want to see?

Definitely Leinenkugel’s Brewery. That’s the main attraction in Chippewa Falls. It’s what everyone comes to see. My dad worked there when he was younger.

What is the breakfast of champions?

It’s definitely my favorite meal of the day. I’m a big omelet guy. I like making my own omelets. Some of the guys on the team like cooking breakfast.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

It’s kind of simple, but work hard. My dad’s been preaching that my whole life.

Do you have a favorite road trip?

Buffalo is a cool city to go, a pretty cool rink. Bemidji was cool, the rink was really nice, good crowds.

Growing up did you have a favorite team or favorite player?

The Anaheim Ducks. My uncle was the oral surgeon for them. He’s the reason why I got into hockey. Teemu Selanne was my favorite player growing up. I kind of idolized him.

Is there a comedian on the team we should know about?

Dan Bailey is pretty funny. He’s got kind of a dry sense of humor. He’s sarcastic so you never know if he’s serious or not, but you catch on to it later. It’s hilarious.

Are you particular about any of your gear?

I put everything right side on first, skate, shin pad. I don’t know if it’s superstition. It’s been a routine, I’m comfortable with it now.

Do you have a favorite hockey memory growing up?

I’m going to bring it back to Squirts. We won the Wisconsin Squirt A tournament. That was a good accomplishment.

Do you have any family in the military? Did that prompt you to come here?

Yeah. My sister got recruited for cross country and track to the Naval Academy. She went there and graduated in ’06. Then my brother went there and played club hockey there and graduated in 2012. The military academies are always what I’ve known my entire life. Once I found out Air Force had a Division I hockey team, and once they offered there was no doubt I wanted to come here.

You play for a larger than life coach so I wanted to ask you if Frank was a superhero, which one do you think he’d be?

Oh man, that’s a tough one. I don’t know. I’d say Batman. He’s kind of all over the place sometimes. He’s everywhere at once.

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