CORALVILLE, Iowa – Jake Carlson knew from the start that the University of Iowa was the perfect fit.
Now a sophomore forward for the Hawkeyes, Carlson is enamored with the family-like atmosphere surrounding the hockey team.
“I came across Iowa through the business school, and I found out they also had a hockey team,” said Carlson, a native of Yorkville, Ill. “I had a visit and practiced with the team and from there, I realized Iowa was for me. What I like most about playing for Iowa is the team bonding. We are constantly together on and off the ice, and everyone on the team gets along.
“The boys are always buzzing.”
Carlson played high school hockey for Marmion Academy and club hockey for the Geneva Cyclones before heading to Iowa.
The Hawkeyes are 6-0-0 to start the season after three weekend sweeps, with Carlson compiling seven goals and 16 points in those six games.
“I think we have had a great start to the season,” Carlson said. “Coming off of my freshman year, the mindset is to treat every game like it’s the first and get the job done. So far, we have shown the league how good of a team we are. Looking forward, I expect us to keep this same mindset and keep rolling wins. There is no better feeling than when all the cylinders are clicking and it shows on the scoreboard.”
A Finance major in the classroom, Carlson is also looking into law school.
On the ice, he is aiming for as much time as he can find to stay in the game.
“My goals for hockey are to play at the highest level possible,” said Carlson. “Hockey has always been my passion, and I want to keep playing as long as possible.”
This weekend, the Hawkeyes play a home-and-home series with Iowa State, starting Friday at 7 p.m. from ISU/Ames Arena and wrapping at Xtream Arena Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
General admission tickets for the game at Xtream Arena are available at https://fevo.me/heartlandershawkeye while student tickets (must have UI email address) are available at https://fevo.me/heartlandershawkeyestudent.
Please note that ticket prices include the 7 p.m. Iowa Heartlanders-Toledo Walleye ECHL game.
“The upcoming Iowa State series is going to be intense,” Carlson said. “There is a lot of hype around the series, and I know we want to beat them at their place Friday and beat them here.”