Charleston, SC- As the holidays approach, and studying for exams takes precedence, we were fortunate enough to get responses from The Citadel Bulldog players who are traveling to Scotland and England to play four professional teams, along with some players from the U S Naval Academy.
The players were asked to provide their name, hometown, position, graduation year and plans after graduation if they are seniors. They were also asked four brief quetions as follows: 1 What are you looking forward to most on the trip? 2 What would you be doing if you weren’t on the trip? 3 Do you have any family or friends going on the trip? 4 Do you have any other thoughts or comments regarding the trip?
It’s notable that The Citadel, their alumni and supporters have gone above and beyond in putting together this incredible experience for all of the players. They are also stressing a “One Team” approach as they come together with their Navy counterparts.
With that out of the way….Meet your Bulldogs, by jersey number.
# 3 Junior right wing, Cole Rossi from Greenville, SC. Cole is looking forward to “playing some great hockey while overseas and having an unforgettable trip with the boys. One of my biggest dreams growing up was being able to represent the USA in international hockey, now I get the opportunity to do that.” If not on the trip he would be at home catching up with family and friends. No one is traveling with him. He also stated “I can’t wait to get over there and represent the Citadel and the U S. This is a trip of a lifetime, that not many players get the opportunity to do. I am so grateful to be a part of this and for everyone who made this possible.
# 4 Senior defensemen, Jake O’Rourke, Jr from Norwood, MA. Upon graduation, he will commission into the U S Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. “I am looking forward to experiencing Europe for my first time and seeing the style and level of hockey played over in the UK. If I was not going on the trip, I would be at home for the remainder of the break with my family. My dad is coming on the trip as well. It is an honor to be representing The Citadel in a foreign country, and to be doing it alongside a few men from the Naval Academy.”
# 7 Center William Coffey from Minnetonka, MN
#12 Freshmen defensemen, Grayson Wright from Colorado Springs, CO. Grayson plans on serving his country as an Army Officer and pursue the business field 
afterwards. Regarding the questions, he states the following: “I am looking forward to a journey that many of us have yet to experience. I am most excited to share this trip with my hockey team. It will create an even tighter bond in itself. We get to meet and see new people and places, as well as represent what we stand for and play competitive hockey. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we are all glad to share it together. If I were to be completely honest, I would be in the Bahamas. (If not on the trip) Yet, with an opportunity like this, I would never choose anything over sharing an experience of a lifetime with the brothers and standing for what we represent (USA MILITARY TEAM). As for me, I don’t (have anyone going). I am going by myself and with my team with the great support of my family. Although they would wish to come along, I know they will be with me the whole time. There isn’t a better group of guys to start this opportunity for the next generations to come. We are all more than excited to stand for what we represent and play hard for the USA.”
# 13 Sophomore center, Tyler Kenney from Charleston, SC. Tyler is looking forward to ” being able to see more of the world and that I get the opportunity to play some talented hockey teams.” If not on the trip, he “would either be working a shift at my summer time job at Moe’s Southern Grill or hanging out with my family.” As to who will be traveling with him, his Dad and Mom will we coming. Tyler further commented, “It’s going to be a lot of fun and I am excited for it to happen.”
# 21 Senior left wing, Beau Rossbach from Cleveland, OH. Beau is looking to find a job in Supply Chain Managementor Marketing, both of his majors. He is looking for ward to “Having some fun seeing the new areas and sightseeing, and playing some great competition.” If not on the trip he would be sleeping,eating and playing Xbox. He has a large contingent traveling with him as his girlfriend Caitlin, his brother Skyler (also on the team), his Dad, grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins. Last but not least, he is “excited to represent The Citadel and Team USA Military overseas.
# 27 Defenseman Reeves Peterson from Greenville, SC
# 30 Forward Derek Williams from Brighton, MI. Derek graduated from The Citadel with his MBA in December, and is married with a full time job at Bosch as a finance manager. His undergrad was at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI. He is looking forward to playing and representing the USA overseas. If he wasn’t on the trip, he would have been attending a wedding that his wife has let him skip. Derek will be traveling alone, but stated, “What a great opportunity for all the players, friends and family to experience the UK and to build a memory of a lifetime. I want to say a special thanks to the Buchanan’s and Coach Ed and his wife for all the effort to putting this on.”
# 31 Sophomore goalie, Christopher Gamba from Florham Park, NJ. Here’s what Christopher had to say. “I am looking forward to playing at a different place in Scotland and England, I am expecting it to differ from college hockey here in the U.S. If I did not go on this trip, I would have probably played pond hockey back at home and met back up with friends. I am going alone on the trip. I prefer traveling by myself. I just hope I get a chance to better myself from playing in Europe even if its just a few games.”
# 40 Sophomore defensemen, Andrew Jones from Cleveland, OH. Andrew is looking forward to “playing some good teams over there, as well as seeing Scotland and England for the first time.” If not on the trip he would “probably working, trying to get some extra spending money.” Regarding who is going with him, “All my close friends on The Citadel team are going with us, but my parents are tagging along as well.” Andrew had some other thoughts as follows, ” Very anxious (in a good way) and ready to play. I know all the boys and myself are extremely hyped up and ready to show them how we play hockey.”
# 66 Junior center, Skyler Rossbach from Cleveland, OH. Skyler is looking forward to “playing some great hockey and having a fun time bonding as a combined team.” If not on the trip, he would “probably be at home wishing I could be playing hockey.” He has “a majority of my family members from my fathers side of the family will be there watching us play. Also, my older brother Beau is playing with us as well, which is a tremendous opportunity for both of us.” Last but not least he states, “Just can’t wait to fly over there and enjoy representing our respective schools and country.”
Thank you to Karl Buchanan for helping get in touch with the players. Also, continued thanks to all of those alumni and friends of The Citadel who are making this trip possible.
Photos not credited to Don Haas are courtesy of The Citadel.
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