Left wing Will Gavin’s mission on the Air Force hockey team is pretty straight forward – get puck, hit puck hard, and put puck in the net.

And the junior is pretty good at it. He had 16 goals – second most in Atlantic Hockey and the most by a Falcons player since 2017 – last season, and he capped the year by being selected to the AHA all-tournament team. This season, he’s atop the team’s scoring list with 12 points (five goals) in 15 games.

He took time recently to tee off on a few feeds from Flight Path founder Chris Bayee in our latest edition of One-Timers.

Your family has some military background, so it probably wasn’t a massive stretch to come play at the Academy. Were there some other appeals?

My grandfathers were in the military (including one in the Air Force) so that was a piece. I was playing against Luke Rowe in Juniors (in the NCDC), and Coach Doyle was there to see him. He reached out to me. Maybe Rowe gave me a few passes to go down and score. (Doyle) watched me, and a few weeks later I came to visit. … The winning pedigree of the program was one draw, and the benefits the school has after graduation was another. I’m pretty happy to be here. It’s definitely a different experience than friends and opponents of mine have had playing college hockey. It was a no-brainer to come here.

Being from the Northeast and Air Force playing a lot of series back there, Atlantic Hockey has probably worked out quite well for you and your family. Do you have a favorite trip?

Whenever I go back home, it’s great for my family. It’s a pretty short drive to most places we play. It’s worked out really well so far. … I have a couple of friends on Bentley, and that’s only about a 2-hour drive for my parents. Sacred Heart is the closest road trip, and we play there in February, so I’m excited to have family come to that.

When did you start playing hockey? Who were your Influences?

I was about 3 or 4. My dad (Peter) got me on skates, and I went through learn to skate, learn to play, like a lot of people do. He played growing up in high school and college, and he got me into it pretty early. He’s been the biggest one. I have to give him a lot of credit. There were a lot of late nights and early mornings. I’m really thankful for everything for he’s done.

Did you have a favorite team and player growing up?

I’ve always been a (Boston) Bruins fan. The town I grew up in is halfway between the Bruins’ and Rangers’ markets. The fans are kind of split. A guy I always liked watching is Brad Marchand. He’s a shorter guy like me, and he’s someone I tried to emulate.

I noticed in the media notes that you have another favorite player, Falcons goalie Austin Park. How did that come about?

We always like to go back and forth and chirp on the ice. I thought that was a funny little thing to put in there. It’s just a joke. I always do my best to score on him in practice. We always have a friendly competition. Just a little jab at him. When I did it I thought no one would ask me about it. But you’re the third or fourth person who’s asked me about it now. It’s pretty funny.

Anyone who watches you play is bound to notice you have a powerful shot. How did you develop that?

I wish more were going in lately. It goes back to my dad. We had a couple of nets in the basement, and we’d shoot a couple hundred pucks a day. I feel like you can work on something wherever you are. It’s just a part of my game I’ve tried to get better at over the years.

Are you particular about any of your gear? Sticks in particular?

Since junior I haven’t changed a whole lot. I’ve gone up in flex on my sticks since I’ve been at the Academy. (Equipment guru) Rob (Rush) spoils us with the equipment we get. It’s definitely the closest thing to pro hockey. I’m blind to it now, but it’s pretty cool. … He’s got it down to a science. I’m really thankful for everything he does for us.

I’m not not really picky. I was using a lot of the same gear for a long time before I came here. Once I get comfortable I don’t like to change it. Rob fights me on it, especially on skates. Once they’re broken in they’re so comfortable.

You’re quite strong on the puck. What role has weight training played for you over the years?

I’ve always been an undersized guy. That’s a thing coaches told me – you have to be strong in the corners and fend for yourself down low. I can’t stretch myself to get taller (Gavin is 5-foot-9), and I’ve taken a lot of pride in getting stronger. My last year and half of juniors we had our own gym, our own trainer. Always had availability and people to guide us for whatever we needed to work on. It was big for me on the ice and developing off the ice. I have to give a lot of credit to the Northern Cyclones.

What is the breakfast of champions?

Whatever they’re serving here is it – your usual usual eggs, bacon, nothing too special. When I’m home, something simple. Oatmeal and a banana. Not a huge breakfast guy, just get something in me before I work out or skate.

Who are some of the team’s comedians?

One guy that comes to mind right away is Andrew DeCarlo. When you see him he puts a smile on your face. He’s the guy that everyone goes to for a good laugh. Maiszon Balboa always has a quick remark, too. He’s quite the character. We were discussing mic-ing someone up for a practice, and everyone pretty much agreed it has to be him.

Who would get your vote from the team if they ran for office?

Luke Robinson. If you ask anyone on the team he’s the first guy. I think Austin Park has a lot of those qualities, too. Those two would get my vote for President. Luke Robinson is like the perfect human. That’s everyone’s goal, be like him.

©First Line Editorial 2022