Column: Fresh Out Of BC, Two Eagles Thrive

“The entire experience is pretty overwhelming,” Kreider told The New York Times after the game.

His performance had Madison Square Garden chanting his name on Saturday, garnering the excitement of his old teammates and former head coach.

“I was a very proud coach,” Jerry York told The New York Times. “The Rangers have so many recent college players—Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin. My guy Chris scores a goal. How can you not feel incredible about that?”

Pretty special for a guy playing in just his sixth NHL game, all of which have been  playoff contests.

What? Yeah, that happened. Two athletes who were here on the Heights up until a few weeks ago (or in Kuechly’s case, a few months ago) are now shining in the brightest lights in the very beginning of their professional careers.

Spoiler alert: both Kuechly and Kreider have just recently turned 21, and these are the stages they are on. Hey, I’m 20. Kind of makes me feel like a failure, you know? Nah, I’m just kidding. Kind of.

But it’s these kinds of stories that make sports special: two young-guns who become fan favorites and impact players just weeks or months after walking around the Heights as a college student.

It has to be a pretty surreal feeling for Kuechly and Kreider, who both still have a little bit of school to finish up in the offseason. But for now, those remaining classes can be put on hold, and for good reason. Kuechly and Kreider are just a bit busy living out their dreams.

And that’s what it’s all about.