3-01-08
Senior Send Off - Thank You Seniors !
The Iowa Hawkeyes Ice Hockey Club recently finished an exhilarating season that began with a quick jump out of the
gates and ended with a heartbreaking loss in the MACHA League Gold Division Semi-Finals. The Hawkeyes were
driven this year through the leadership and determination of its senior class, which led them to their first ACHA
regional rankings in team history. New Head Coach Nick White and the entire team of remaining players would like to
thank seniors Kyle “Chuck” Norris, “Intense” Pete Opalacz, Matt “Wiggles” Winkler, Sean “Mac” McCarthy, Conrad
“Space Balls” Schwabe, and Tim “Stroooch” Strauch for their leadership, dedication, determination, and commitment
to the program the past few seasons.
Kyle Norris, a native of West Des Moines, Iowa, played six (6) semesters as a Forward/Defenseman for the
Hawkeyes, while obtaining his degree in Marketing and Management. In his senior year, he took over as Club
President where he served for 3 semesters. “I thoroughly enjoyed being the President of this Hockey Club and it
helped me grow as a person.” His favorite memory was playing in front of a rowdy, packed crowd of 1,300 fans
against his former team the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, Iowa. As for his future plans, Kyle wishes to pursue a
career as a Financial Advisor. Good luck “Chuck.”
Pete Opalacz, a native of Tinley Park, Illinois, played 8 semesters with the Hawkeyes and was the key leader by the
example he set on and off the ice. In his senior season, he accumulated 37 points in 22 games, with a team high of
25 assists. Pete’s favorite memories were traveling and bonding with the team. Graduating with a major in Business
Management and Organizations, Pete looks forward to joining the United States Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia
this summer. Thanks for everything “Intense.”
Matt Winkler, another native of Tinley Park, Illinois, played all four years of his collegiate career with the Hawkeyes.
In his senior season his veteran experience guided the underclassmen in 27 out of 28 games played. Graduating
with a degree in Communication Studies, “Wiggles” would like to thank everyone on the team for the friendships and
great memories gained from his years with the program.
Sean McCarthy, from Flossmoor, Illinois, joined the Hawkeyes at the beginning of his junior year. After playing high
school hockey at Mount Carmel, his jump to collegiate hockey was a smooth transition. His love of the game and of
life kept the team loose and upbeat throughout this year’s season. His fondest memory comes from the away game
against Iowa State in which “their biggest player moved at top speed to decapitate Conrad, while [he] was trailing him
for a drop pass, and Conrad’s cage on his helmet was indented, his stick went flailing, gloves dropping and
according to Sean and head full of brain cells.” In the future, Sean looks to attend Graduate School. Atta Boy “Mac.”
Conrad Schwabe hails from West Dundee, Illinois and played two seasons for the Hawkeyes. Conrad, like McCarthy,
helped keep the team loose and motivated for the entire of the season. His favorite moment stemmed from the Iowa
Hockey Golf Outing, in which he was able to not only shoot his personal best but was also able to obtain a nine digit
number from a lady friend. Conrad will graduate with a degree from the Henry B. Tippie College of Business where
he looks forward to taking some time off after school. Good luck “Spaceballs.”
Timothy Strauch, from Lincolnwood, Illinois also played his entire collegiate career with the Hawkeyes. After battling
back from a torn ACL during his junior season, Strauch made up for lost time in his senior season. He played in 16
games with 7 wins and an .878 save percentage. His stellar play between the pipes helped Iowa sweep Lindenwood
and Kansas early in the season. He is thankful for the friendships made and is especially thankful to Coach Kevin
Harter for everything he has done for the program. He looks forward to coaching and playing in men’s league in the
Chicago area in the near future. Thanks for everything “Stuck” (I mean “Strooooch”).
Senior Send Off - Thank You Seniors !
The Iowa Hawkeyes Ice Hockey Club recently finished an exhilarating season that began with a quick jump out of the
gates and ended with a heartbreaking loss in the MACHA League Gold Division Semi-Finals. The Hawkeyes were
driven this year through the leadership and determination of its senior class, which led them to their first ACHA
regional rankings in team history. New Head Coach Nick White and the entire team of remaining players would like to
thank seniors Kyle “Chuck” Norris, “Intense” Pete Opalacz, Matt “Wiggles” Winkler, Sean “Mac” McCarthy, Conrad
“Space Balls” Schwabe, and Tim “Stroooch” Strauch for their leadership, dedication, determination, and commitment
to the program the past few seasons.
Kyle Norris, a native of West Des Moines, Iowa, played six (6) semesters as a Forward/Defenseman for the
Hawkeyes, while obtaining his degree in Marketing and Management. In his senior year, he took over as Club
President where he served for 3 semesters. “I thoroughly enjoyed being the President of this Hockey Club and it
helped me grow as a person.” His favorite memory was playing in front of a rowdy, packed crowd of 1,300 fans
against his former team the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, Iowa. As for his future plans, Kyle wishes to pursue a
career as a Financial Advisor. Good luck “Chuck.”
Pete Opalacz, a native of Tinley Park, Illinois, played 8 semesters with the Hawkeyes and was the key leader by the
example he set on and off the ice. In his senior season, he accumulated 37 points in 22 games, with a team high of
25 assists. Pete’s favorite memories were traveling and bonding with the team. Graduating with a major in Business
Management and Organizations, Pete looks forward to joining the United States Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia
this summer. Thanks for everything “Intense.”
Matt Winkler, another native of Tinley Park, Illinois, played all four years of his collegiate career with the Hawkeyes.
In his senior season his veteran experience guided the underclassmen in 27 out of 28 games played. Graduating
with a degree in Communication Studies, “Wiggles” would like to thank everyone on the team for the friendships and
great memories gained from his years with the program.
Sean McCarthy, from Flossmoor, Illinois, joined the Hawkeyes at the beginning of his junior year. After playing high
school hockey at Mount Carmel, his jump to collegiate hockey was a smooth transition. His love of the game and of
life kept the team loose and upbeat throughout this year’s season. His fondest memory comes from the away game
against Iowa State in which “their biggest player moved at top speed to decapitate Conrad, while [he] was trailing him
for a drop pass, and Conrad’s cage on his helmet was indented, his stick went flailing, gloves dropping and
according to Sean and head full of brain cells.” In the future, Sean looks to attend Graduate School. Atta Boy “Mac.”
Conrad Schwabe hails from West Dundee, Illinois and played two seasons for the Hawkeyes. Conrad, like McCarthy,
helped keep the team loose and motivated for the entire of the season. His favorite moment stemmed from the Iowa
Hockey Golf Outing, in which he was able to not only shoot his personal best but was also able to obtain a nine digit
number from a lady friend. Conrad will graduate with a degree from the Henry B. Tippie College of Business where
he looks forward to taking some time off after school. Good luck “Spaceballs.”
Timothy Strauch, from Lincolnwood, Illinois also played his entire collegiate career with the Hawkeyes. After battling
back from a torn ACL during his junior season, Strauch made up for lost time in his senior season. He played in 16
games with 7 wins and an .878 save percentage. His stellar play between the pipes helped Iowa sweep Lindenwood
and Kansas early in the season. He is thankful for the friendships made and is especially thankful to Coach Kevin
Harter for everything he has done for the program. He looks forward to coaching and playing in men’s league in the
Chicago area in the near future. Thanks for everything “Stuck” (I mean “Strooooch”).
2008 Hawkeye Hockey News
| Norris |
| Opalazc |
| Winkler |
| McCarthy |
| Strauch |
| Schwabe |
 |
