When you talk to senior Blake Bride you can’t help but notice his energy and enthusiasm for both his Air Force teammates and the game of hockey.

The energetic forward is a two-year assistant captain and a key penalty killer for the Falcons, as well as a two-time Atlantic Hockey all-academic team selection.

A Louisville, Colo., native, Bride also holds the distinction of having moved up one level of junior hockey for three consecutive seasons, from Tier III to II to I. He graciously took time recently to speak with AFAFlightPath.com about his experiences in the game in our most recent installment of One-timers.

How did your final summer at the Academy go?

“I got to work with a new program. (Cadets) could earn certificates if they are planning to become pilots. I was in charge of around 400 rising sophomores as they went through the course. There were three periods to do it. I was helping keep track of the numbers of all 400 kids. It was kind of crazy. It was good leadership experience. Later on in the summer I got to work Ops, assist all the programs here. If people need help, they call in and request it. I got to serve down in Jack’s Valley, walk around as they did RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) over us. I tried to learn the program there. I got to be involved in all different types of programs.”

Growing up in Colorado, did you know a lot about the Air Force Academy before you came here?

“I did not. I had my visit here, and that was the first time I was here. That was a year and ahalf before I came in. I never knew about it or talked about it. When we played down here I drove by it. A few of my friends played here, but I never had the opportunity to play here when I was younger. I didn’t know too much about it. I didn’t look too much ahead with hockey. I loved the game. I knew about DU but I didn’t know the further steps up, and the importance and difficulty of college hockey at a younger age. As I got more serious in high school (at Monarch High) I was still three years out potentially. … I just cared about playing the game.”

You moved up the ladder of junior hockey every season you played, when did you realize college hockey was possible?

“Probably the end of my first year of junior, when I was out in Boston (playing for the Jr. Rangers of the EHL). I had a good year there. All these kids were committing to D-III. … I saw the opportunity to play at higher levels, and I sort of thought to myself this is my chance to make it to where I wanted to be. I never thought I could be a college player initially, but the time I put in that year made me take a step back and reflect. I was sort of on a good path. That’s when I first started thinking I could do it. From there it ended up happening.”

Why Air Force?

“I was playing in Odessa (of the North American Hockey League), and a teammate of mine was getting flown out for a visit. Randomly a week or a few days before they said, hey you want to come, too? Sure, my family’s there. I’d never really thought to go here. I had an open mind, visited and saw everything it had to offer, and it sort of grew from there. The more and more I thought about it, this seemed like the best option for future me and in case anything happened I wanted a set foundation, and this place gives you everything you could possibly ask for. I couldn’t really turn that down with all that it had to offer. This was a place I fit in. It’s a good family atmosphere. Just a great group of people, both on the team and the Cadets up on the hill. People are trying to be the best they can be. It’s nice to be surrounded by people like that.”

Who were your biggest hockey influences?

“The biggest influence was basically the Slavin family. My best friend is Josiah (a former Colorado College player who now plays in Rockford of the American Hockey League). My first year I played hockey was with him, and ever since we’ve been best friends. I sort of became part of their family. Watching Jaccob (an NHL All-Star for the Carolina Hurricanes) go through all of it. I watched Jordan’s career with how successful she was. I’ve been able to follow and help the younger brother Jeremiah. It really influenced me to see their family’s love of the game. It grew on me. I was constantly surrounded by the joy and the passion of the game. It resonated with me pretty well.”

Do you have a favorite memory in the game?

“It’s hard to not say my last year of junior at Sioux Falls when we won the (United States Hockey League’s) Clark Cup. I’ll never forget that. That whole year was amazing, and the push at the end of the year was a miracle how it all came together with our team. … When you look back at your younger years, playing with your best friends, you camp out, your drying your gear outside. That’s where I first came to love the game. You’ve got to keep that passion. That’s always something that will stick with me.”

Are you picky about your gear?

“No, I don’t care at all. I change my tape job every day. Growing up, I would change skates based on if they were cheaper. I’d just get hand-me-down stuff, so I didn’t really care too much. Just give me something I could use, and I’ll be happy with it.”

Did you have a favorite player growing up?

“Kyle Okposo. I loved watching him as a kid, how hard he worked. It grew on me. It was cool after winning the Clark Cup I got to see his name on the cup. I was going to be there with him. … Now I’ve got to respect the Slavins, but Kyle Okposo has always been my favorite player. I like his style and what he’s done, and he’s battled a lot of adversity, too. He’s struggled with concussions. I’ve seen him as a good person to look up to.”

Turning to the Falcons, I’ve heard you have a fun group. Is a comedian on the team?

“There’s a lot of them. There are some subtle ones like Bennett Norlin. Whenever he makes a comment it comes from left field, but it’s probably the funniest thing you’ll hear. He finds a way to make you laugh. Him and Nate Horn are pretty funny. The whole room will bounce jokes off one another. It’s just a good environment. We’re so close, we get each other.”

What area of your game have you grown the most in?

“Trying to slow it down. I’m a little fast paced. I’m always trying to be doing something, and I don’t always need to be doing something. Just to settle back and take what’s happening and find the right spot instead of moving too much. Find soft areas and stay there instead of keep chasing down the puck. It’s one thing I’m trying to work on, slowing down the game, simplifying so I’m not moving out some good positions when I’m there.”

©First Line Editorial 2022