Falcon Seniors
Tyler Kostiuk - Jared Sailer

For Tyler Kostiuk and Jared Sailer this weekend's games may mean a little more to them than the rest of their Falcon hockey teammates.

And that's because the two seniors will be playing their final regular season home game and final regular season weekend series when the Falcons face Stout in a home-and-home series.

Kostiuk, a 5-10, 170 pound forward from Cranbrook, B.C., and Sailer, a 6-3, 220 pound forward from Fernie, B.C., have been mainstays for the Falcons in the team's lineup for the past four seasons. Looking back at the 2004 Falcon roster, they were two of seven freshmen on the team. But they are the only two who made it through to their senior seasons.

The two game to UWRF after playing junior hockey together at Fernie of the America West Hockey League. Kostiuk led the AWHL with 61 assists and Sailer led the league with 46 goals in the 2002-03 season.

It was good fortune for the Falcons that they brought their skills to Hunt Arena and have been a big part of the program for four years.

Both say their biggest hockey thrills at UWRF came in their freshman season when the team advanced to the NCAA playoffs. The Falcons put together an outstanding post season run beating Eau Claire in a first round NCHA playoff series, topping Stevens Point, 4-1, in the NCHA semifinals before losing, 2-0, to St. Norbert in the NCHA finals. Sailer scored a goal, with an assist from Kostiuk, in the win over Stevens Point.

In the NCAA playoffs the Falcons opened with an exciting 3-2 overtime win over St. Thomas at Hunt Arena. Then it was off to St. Norbert where the Green Knights took a 3-0 win to end the Falcon season. The Falcons finished 21-6-4.

"Hopefully we can make another run in the NCAA playoffs - it would be like a first and last hurrah for us," said Sailer in an interview last week.

Falcon hockey has a special meaning to every player who has pulled on a Falcon sweater. For Kostiuk it means prestige. "Falcon hockey is a high pitched program - it's a lot of pride when I put on the jersey - it's been an honor," said Kostiuk. "It's pride for me also," said Sailer. "It's been an honor to wear the colors every night." Kostiuk has played in 95 games and Sailer in 93 during their four-year careers.

Going into this weekend Kostiuk has scored 21 goals and 28 assists for 49 career points. Sailer has scored 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 career points. Kostiuk was named the team's Don Joseph Most Improved Player of the 2005-06 season when he scored eight goals and had 14 points. He was also named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. Sailer has been one of the team's captains in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.

Both have taken several characteristics from Falcon hockey and will use them in their future.

"I'll take hard work and dedication," said Kostiuk. "Every practice and game the players and coaches work hard to get places. The coaches have taught me that what I do here is what I will do in the future."

"Being around the guys and having the coaches help us into the real world," added Sailer.

"It's been a pleasure to have both Jared and Tyler in our program," said Falcon Coach Steve Freeman. "Jared came in as a gangly guy from juniors and he has turned into a very good leader for us. He came in as a great offensive player and he had to change his game. He's accepted his role and is an ultimate team player. He takes pride in what he gives to the team and looks to see what he can do to make the team better. That says a lot about him."

"Tyler is a hockey guy through and through. He loves to play the game and talk about the game. He's fun to be around - the guys in the locker room love him. He's got great offensive talents - he passes the puck well and has gotten some very big goals for us in his career. He's been a very valuable player for us."

"They are both great guys," said Falcon captain TJ Dahl. "They are our only two seniors and have given us leadership and experience. We look to them because they've been there before. If the guys have questions or concerns, they can ask them for help. Both are experienced players who we look to in pressure situations. Jared's a great guy and captain - he works hard every day and has a great attitude. Tyler is a big time player and we can depend on him in pressure situations. He plays well every game. You couldn't ask for two better seniors."

Both players admit the past four years have gone by quickly.

"It's just cruised by and I've enjoyed every second," said Kostiuk. "I wouldn't take one moment back. I've met a lot of people and I'm very happy I decided to play Falcon hockey."

"Seniors before us have said it goes by fast and it certainly has," said Sailer. "It seemed just a little while ago we came in as little freshmen."

Kostiuk, majoring in marketing communications, is in the process of applying to graduate school at Oregon State when he would like to earn a master's degree in occupational safety management. He will graduate in May from UWRF.