Senior forwards Brandon Zurn and Charlie Adams took very different roads to their junior years at Hamline. Zurn struggled through the lean seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 here at Hamline where the men’s team won just three games in those two years. Adams began his collegiate career at D-I University of Nebraska-Omaha before transferring back home to St. Thomas for his sophomore year and then transferring again to Hamline for his junior year.

“They came to work every day,” said coach Cory Laylin. “They did what I asked them to do and were great leaders for the team. Offensively, they’ve been everything for us and as all-around people they’ve been crucial for this program.”

Their junior year saw Zurn and Adams lead the team in scoring with 33 points apiece as the Pipers shocked the MIAC by winning the MIAC playoff title and playing in the state tournament.

“Offensively, they were the top two scorers in the country this year,” said Laylin.

Zurn led Division-III with 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) in 27 games and Adams was right behind him with 49 points (21 goals, 28 assists). According to Laylin, not only were they prolific scorers, but they were consistent scorers too.

“Zurn and Adams -were only shutout in back to back games once,” said Laylin.

The experiences that Zurn went through in his first two collegiate years were extremely important in shaping the player he would eventually become.

“Playing hockey all four years here was a roller coaster, a lot of emotion,” said Zurn. “The first two years were awful; we won one game my first year, then two games my second. It taught me a valuable lesson about being resilient.”

Adams learned his own lessons as he moved between colleges his freshman and sophomore years before landing at Hamline.

“A lesson I take into each game is that each game, each period, each shift is going to be a battle,” said Adams. “Nothing is handed to me. I have to work extremely hard every second throughout the game or it could all be over quickly.”

The arrival of Laylin and Adams in 2014 saw a quick turnaround take place and the team embraced the mentality of being the underdogs the MIAC perceived them to be.

“Ever since my first game at Hamline we’ve been considered underdogs,” said Adams. “To everyone else, we’re underdogs but everyone on our team knew we could beat anyone on any given night. When we played our game we were just as good as anyone.”

Winning the MIAC championship last year was one of the biggest moments in the careers of many of the players.

“In my career I won two Minnesota High School section championships and played in five Minnesota state tournament games,” said Zurn. “None of those games compared to winning that championship game against St. Mary. The place was electric and our guys knew we were going to win that game, we had won too many big games before that to come up short.”

Last week Zurn and Adams took the plunge and signed contracts with the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the Southern Professional Hockey League, who are comparable to a class ‘A’ minor league baseball team.

“My friend Rod Aldoff is the head coach down there and I’ve been talking to him about Charlie and Zurn for about a year and a half now,” said Laylin. “He’s been looking for guys to boost their lineup and I think it’s a great opportunity for these two guys.”

Signing his first professional hockey contract was a big moment for Zurn in particular.

“When the returning players saw me and Charlie sign our first professional contracts their eyes lit up with excitement,” said Zurn. “They were so excited for us and you could tell some day when their college careers are over they could do the same thing Charlie and I are doing.”

They’ve played just two games but they have already begun making an impact. Adams assisted one of the two goals scored by Pensacola last Saturday March 5 in their 2-1 victory over the Peoria Rivermen, tallying his first professional point.

Adams has stayed focused all year, working to stay consistent and be the best player he can be.

“My mindset has been to continue what I’ve been doing all year long,” said Adams. “Just don’t let nerves get to me, just do what I’ve been doing and things will work out.”

Zurn has a few parting pieces of advice for Hamline hockey players and Hamline student athletes in general.

“My advice to younger guys is to have fun and enjoy every moment of college because it is over before you know it,” said Zurn. “Be humble as well; it is an honor to throw on that Hamline uniform. We might not have the nicest gear or the nicest locker room, but Hamline hockey players have the motivation and drive to succeed under any element.”

You can follow Adams and Zurn with the Ice Flyers by following the team on Twitter or by checking out their website at pensacolaiceflyers.com.