Air Force hockey fans got their first extended look at sophomore goaltender Zach LaRocque last fall, when he filled in for Billy Christopoulos after the senior underwent emergency surgery. But LaRocque should be familiar to fans of Colorado youth hockey because he played in the state up until a few years ago – the Arvada, Ralston Valley High and Rocky Mountain Roughriders programs.

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With the Falcons off this weekend and awaiting their opponent in the Atlantic Hockey Conference quarterfinals next weekend, a series that will take place at Cadet Arena, the affable netminder took some time to cover a broad range of subjects with AFAFlightPath.com.

How did Air Force come onto the radar for you?

The first time I came down here was for a showcase that the hockey program was hosting. I hadn’t really heard much about it. I was looking to get some exposure and enjoy my summer playing hockey. I really enjoyed it a lot. They treated me pretty well. I wanted to come back the following season. That season I was playing AA hockey for Arvada so it wasn’t like I was a potential prospect or anything like that. I was just in my early part of development.

I emailed the coaches to ask what I could do to become a prospect they might look at some day? They wanted me to play Tier I or Tier II juniors. At the time that was a big step. I ended up keeping my connection fairly strong and was fortunate enough to play Tier I juniors in Cedar Rapids (of the USHL). We just kept talking.

It was a place I wanted to be, it was a place I’d grown up knowing, being a Colorado guy. I was really excited to make a commitment to the Air Force.

Do you have any family with military background?

My great grandpa on my mom’s side was an Army guy, and my dad’s dad actually was in the Air Force.

Everyone knows the Academy path isn’t an easy one, but what are some of the things about Academy life that might surprise people to learn about?

I think it’s the connections you make with the people in your squad. I’ve made a ton of friends with the people in the squadron I’m in. It kind of surprised me. When I first I got here I thought everyone was super (into) being military people and I don’t know if I’ll be able to get along with them. But I have made tremendous friends, and it surprised me that I’d have so many who weren’t on the hockey team.

Why does the Academy have such a strong tradition of producing excellent goaltenders? I’ve heard coach Frank Serratore say that he thinks the Academy lifestyle might benefit that position more than others. Why is that?

I agree. I would say it’s a maturity thing. You come in and you go through a ton of stuff and it really matures you as a person. My work ethic since I’ve gotten here is a lot better. The goalies on the team right now are extremely  hard workers and we really enjoy what we’re doing. We enjoy the guys. All of that kind of contributes to our play in games.

It seems like your group has a terrific camaraderie. Is that the case?

Absolutely. We like to call ourselves Goalie Nation – me Schills (Alex Schilling), Bill and Ando (Erik Anderson). We’re a pretty close group. We enjoy talking to each other and chirping the other guys at practice. We’ve definitely become really close a group this year.

When you’re at practice, who are some of the guys you dread seeing come in on a shooting drill?

Probably two guys for one specific reason. Either Tyler Jutting or Brady Tomlak, and it’s because more times than not I will get hit in the head with their shots more than anything else.

Who have been some of your big hockey influences?

My dad never played hockey when he was younger, but he got me into it when I was younger. He was a beer league guy, and I enjoyed going to his games. That’s kind of what got me started on it. What really helped me make my jump was my high school hockey coach and my AAA hockey coach, Matt Schoepflin from Ralston Valley and Doug Smail for the Rocky Mountain Roughriders. They were amazing coaches for me. They really believed in me and helped me make that step I needed. They’ve been like fathers to me almost.

If you were speaking to a young player who was considering becoming a goalie, what would you tell him or her?

I think my dad would tell their parents they better get their checkbook ready. I would say, “Go for it.” In my opinion it’s one of the best positions you can play in hockey. There’s a lot of highs and lows, but for the most part it’s a great lifestyle to be part of.

Some people – not me, mind you – have told me that goalies have some idiosyncrasies. Do you have any “traditions” or superstitions you’d like to tell us about?

I do a few weird things. When I play in net, I like to grab the water bottle and squirt water in the air in an arc pattern and watch a water droplet hit the ice. That kind of refocuses me. When I’m getting dressed, and it might be from habit, I start with everything from the left. It’s something I’ve always done. Nothing too crazy.

Have you every seen anything from a teammate that made you just say, “wow”?

I’ve been fortunate to always be on teams with good guys. The goalies haven’t been super weird. There was one I played with when I was younger who would put a line of C4 (pre-workout powder) on the bench and would snort it and go crazy to get himself ready for the game. I could not do that and stay focused. Another guy would sniff smelling salts until his nose was dripping and his eyes were watering. He’d be screaming and hooting and hollering the whole time, but it got him ready.

I have to ask, as I always do, what is the breakfast of champions?

My favorite is when we’re on the road and we are fortunate enough to stay at a hotel with an omelette maker. My go-to breakfast before a game is an omelette with spinach, tomatoes, sausage and mushrooms, and then I’ll have a glass of orange juice and some cantaloupe and then I’ll have a cup of coffee when I’m finishing up.

Do you have a favorite trip so far in college hockey?

I really enjoy going on the Army trips because it’s one of those rivalries that’s really special that you don’t get elsewhere. The atmosphere the whole time (is great), everyone’s juiced. And the trip (to West Point) is beautiful.

What do you like to do during your free time?

I really enjoy fly fishing. My grandma has a cabin up in Gunnison, Colorado. So my dad and I or a couple of my friends will go up there and spend a few days enjoying fishing. We’ll go hiking. I’m a big outdoors guy. I love the Colorado scenery. I’ve been lucky to grow up in such a great skate.

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