Engineering dreams realized in Wales

Many people like to take their jabs at the concept of the student-athlete. Certain realities of the college sports world have made many of us cynical about the developing young men who are in pursuit of education and profession. Although we hear more about those players who leave after one or two years, the majority on most teams finish and get degrees. There are even the fortunate who get their degrees and still get a chance to extend their athletic careers.

Jake Morissette and Andrew Lord both grew up in British Columbia, Canada. They shared the expected passion for hockey, and found themselves in the British Columbia Hockey League. This is where they would first get acquainted, albeit as opponents. For those two seasons during which they overlapped, Morissette put up 132 points with the Williams Lake Timberwolves while Lord put up 78 with the Vernon Vipers. Given their production, it is not much of a surprise that the coaches at RPI would take an interest in them. In the fall of 2004, both players found themselves in Troy, N.Y.