By Mike Klees
UWRF Sports Information

Nate Hansen may not be the biggest defenseman in the NCHA, but he may be one of the toughest. Hansen got the biggest ovation of the night a few weeks ago when he slammed a UW-Stout player into the boards right in front of the student section at Hunt Arena. As the 180-pound defenseman skated to the penalty box it was clear there was no mention of his size.

“He’s a very aggressive, physical player. He brings a hitting mentality,” said Falcon Coach Steve Freeman. “He’s also a good guy in the locker room and has a terrific hockey background.”

Hansen says that his parents influenced him a lot growing up. They did everything they could to help him in his hockey career, including getting up at 6 a.m. to take him to practice. He played his high school hockey in Austin, Minn., where he was an all-conference and all-state honorable mention selection. He once scored six goals in a game for the Packers. After high school Hansen moved on to play junior hockey in Des Moines of the USHL. UW-RF was one of the first schools that contacted him after juniors and he had heard they had a good program, so he decided to play for the Falcons.

Hansen joined the team in 2003 and scored five goals and dished out two assists in his freshman year. He was named the team’s Most Improved Player, and earned a reputation as a strong skater who could play forward or defense. He also excelled in the classroom, and was named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. In 2004, he continued his consistent contribution with two goals and six assists. So far this year Hansen has played in every game and has one goal. But he is making his presence felt in the defensive end.

“My biggest strength would have to be my ability to think,” said Hansen. “I’m not that big or that fast, so I have to think.”

Hansen claims that he likes defense better because players get to play mean and hit people, which makes the game more fun. That statement basically sums up Hansen. He’s just a guy who likes to have fun; whether it’s hanging out with the guys on the team, playing poker, hunting, or fishing. He also likes to skateboard, which he adds has the benefit of helping with his balance on the ice. All these qualities make him an excellent guy in the locker room.

His goal for the year is to win the national championship, but on a more personal level he just hopes to have a good year and stay injury free. He even went as far to say that as long as the team keeps winning and he stays injury free he won’t shave his beard. Hansen admits that the NCHA is a tough conference and that achieving the team’s goals won’t be easy.

“The toughest thing about the NCHA is the physical play as the year goes on,” said Hansen. “It will get more and more physical.”

Hansen believes that the team will achieve its goals because of team chemistry. The Falcons are a young team with lots of new players. He believes that as the year goes on the team will mesh and continue to improve.

“Everyone on the team gets along real well,” said Hansen. “That will be our biggest strength at the end of the year.”

After his years at UW-RF are done, Hansen says he probably won’t play any more hockey. He wants to try to get into law school, where he can use his aggressive style in the courtroom. He says that the thing he will miss most about hockey is just hanging out with the guys and coming to the rink everyday.

Nate Hansen