West Chester hockey player glides into role at West Point
Like many athletes, Cody Ikkala has been playing his sport since a little after he could stand, eat and talk on his own. Recently recruited to play hockey at West Point Military Academy in New York, he’s learning all of those things all over again.
The defenseman, Ikkala, 20, of West Chester, added another prefix to his name at the end of June – “cadet.” After playing the past two years in the British Columbia Hockey League, he was approached by several recruiters, and decided to go to West Point because of its prestige, and its dominant Division I hockey team. The caveat that goes along with playing for West Point is, of course, Cadet Basic Training — boot camp, or “beast.”
Well, Ikkala just finished that up, and while it took a lot of adjustment, like learning how to stand, address officers and eat correctly (by putting down your fork and knife, and placing your hands in your lap while you chew), he now knows how to march, shoot a rifle, deploy grenade launchers and mortar rounds — things he’s never done.
“Before I came here, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but it’s turned out to probably be the best decision I ever made,” Ikkala said Oct. 12 via phone. “I really didn’t even know much about the military, but came out for a visit, checked out the facilities for hockey and liked it.”
The hockey season recently got underway, and in addition to hockey practice, Ikkala started classes Aug. 17. He’s got a busy, stressful schedule that includes waking up at 5 a.m. each day to watch the flag go up, followed by morning runs, then classes, hockey practice and homework. He goes to bed at 11 p.m., just six hours from starting it over again.
“They give you so much homework, to the point where you can’t complete it all,” Ikkala said. “And they do this to put you under stressful situations, where you have to pick what’s most important — it’s really awesome to see how they develop you into a leader over four years.”
And in the last two of his four years, Ikkala will choose a major and decide which branch of the military he’d like to join. He’s leaning toward something in aviation, adding that he’s particularly interested in flying helicopters, as he enjoyed a few of the rides that he’s been on. Neither of his parents has military experience, though he said they’re proud of what he’s accomplished so far at West Point.
“They’re very proud and happy — and happy that the education is free,” Ikkala said with a laugh. “I’m sure they’re a little worried about me, but I think they’re focusing on the school aspect now. Once I get moved out of here and into my platoon and base, I’m sure they’ll be a little more worried.”
And though Ikkala said it’s every hockey player’s dream to play professionally, he conceded that it might be a little tough to do that with his military commitment. Still, he’s going to try.
“It depends on if the military allows you to leave. It’s very rare, but if you have enough talent and if they see it as a positive thing for them, they’ll let you go. It’s every hockey player’s dream — it’s just a little tougher to get out of here,” Ikkala said jokingly.
The defenseman, Ikkala, 20, of West Chester, added another prefix to his name at the end of June – “cadet.” After playing the past two years in the British Columbia Hockey League, he was approached by several recruiters, and decided to go to West Point because of its prestige, and its dominant Division I hockey team. The caveat that goes along with playing for West Point is, of course, Cadet Basic Training — boot camp, or “beast.”
Well, Ikkala just finished that up, and while it took a lot of adjustment, like learning how to stand, address officers and eat correctly (by putting down your fork and knife, and placing your hands in your lap while you chew), he now knows how to march, shoot a rifle, deploy grenade launchers and mortar rounds — things he’s never done.
“Before I came here, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but it’s turned out to probably be the best decision I ever made,” Ikkala said Oct. 12 via phone. “I really didn’t even know much about the military, but came out for a visit, checked out the facilities for hockey and liked it.”
The hockey season recently got underway, and in addition to hockey practice, Ikkala started classes Aug. 17. He’s got a busy, stressful schedule that includes waking up at 5 a.m. each day to watch the flag go up, followed by morning runs, then classes, hockey practice and homework. He goes to bed at 11 p.m., just six hours from starting it over again.
“They give you so much homework, to the point where you can’t complete it all,” Ikkala said. “And they do this to put you under stressful situations, where you have to pick what’s most important — it’s really awesome to see how they develop you into a leader over four years.”
And in the last two of his four years, Ikkala will choose a major and decide which branch of the military he’d like to join. He’s leaning toward something in aviation, adding that he’s particularly interested in flying helicopters, as he enjoyed a few of the rides that he’s been on. Neither of his parents has military experience, though he said they’re proud of what he’s accomplished so far at West Point.
“They’re very proud and happy — and happy that the education is free,” Ikkala said with a laugh. “I’m sure they’re a little worried about me, but I think they’re focusing on the school aspect now. Once I get moved out of here and into my platoon and base, I’m sure they’ll be a little more worried.”
And though Ikkala said it’s every hockey player’s dream to play professionally, he conceded that it might be a little tough to do that with his military commitment. Still, he’s going to try.
“It depends on if the military allows you to leave. It’s very rare, but if you have enough talent and if they see it as a positive thing for them, they’ll let you go. It’s every hockey player’s dream — it’s just a little tougher to get out of here,” Ikkala said jokingly.
