Hockey players gain global perspective on elite European tour
5 – minute read
The world became a smaller place for Jordan Comilla and Shayne Tomlinson in January.
The two star on Florida Gulf Coast University’s Division 2 ice hockey club team, which is heading to the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s National Championships March 12-17 and has been one of the league’s top teams for over two decades.
Comilla, a junior forward from New Boston, Michigan, and Tomlinson, a senior forward from Port Huron, Michigan, were chosen to play on the ACHA Select Team Tour in Europe. During the trip, they also had life-changing experiences off the ice, including a tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland.
“The brotherhood we built and the once-in-a-lifetime experience we shared — not many people can say they’ve done what we did,” says Comilla, an entrepreneurship major. “I’ll always be grateful that I got to share it with those guys. In Czechia, after we played a local team, we went out to dinner and hung out with them. They spoke very little English, but we still connected by embracing their culture. Some of those guys still text me. It was one of those moments where everyone fully bought into the experience and truly enjoyed being immersed in a different culture.”
They were part of the 22-player roster — Tomlinson was the team captain — chosen by the ACHA, the governing body for non-NCAA collegiate hockey in the United States. After losing the first game 6-5 to UMB Banska Bystrica in Slovakia, they beat BO Ostrava 4-3 in overtime in the Czech Republic. They then traveled to Poland and emerged as champion of the Małopolska Winter Cup after winning their games 7-2, 6-2 and 5-4 in overtime.
“On the ice, the competition was faster and more skilled, which pushed me to improve my decision-making and play with more confidence,” says Tomlinson, a management major. “I had to think quicker, move the puck faster and stay disciplined on every shift. It raised my overall level and made me more consistent.
“I learned how to lead a group of talented players from different teams and backgrounds. I focused on communication, accountability and setting the tone with my work ethic. The experience helped me become more confident, mature and intentional in how I carry myself on and off the ice.”
A phone call to remember
For Tomlinson, it all started the day Select Team coach Dave Weaver told him he would not only play on the team but also captain it.
“That is a phone call I will never forget,” Tomlinson says. “That was special for me. I didn’t really see it coming at all. I was a little choked up and nervous when Dave called and congratulated me on being selected. It’s an amazing honor to represent my team, teammates, school, my family and myself in that situation. Your mind runs in different places, and you are just overflowing with excitement. It was really special. Being able to lead the team and have the ‘C’ on the jersey is something I can’t put into words.”
Says Comilla, “The coolest part was definitely meeting players from the other teams. Usually, we’re competing against each other, but getting to know them off the ice gives you a whole new level of respect for them. I truly felt blessed. There are over 140 teams with 20 to 25 players on each roster, and being one of just 22 players selected for this team was a huge honor.”
Hockey fans rally around club team
Their recognition was also a huge honor for FGCU’s club team.
Founded in 2002, the squad quickly became a powerhouse in the collegiate hockey association and has made 12 national tournament appearances — culminating in national titles in 2012 (won on their home ice at Hertz Arena), 2016, 2018 and 2019 and runner-up finishes in 2009, 2014 and 2015.
As players return for another shot at the national championship, they have launched a Go Fund Me account to raise money to help cover transportation and food costs.
Some students choose to attend FGCU simply because of the opportunity to play on this team. The squad receives extraordinary support from both the university and Southwest Florida hockey fans, the players say. They believe that no other team in the Southeast receives the same level of backing.
“We really appreciate the support at every level,” Comilla says. “From the community, our volunteers and fans, to the consistent love we receive, it’s always there.
“It takes a lot of people working together to make a hockey program run smoothly, and having that backing makes playing in Southwest Florida even more special. The university is our biggest supporter, from helping with ice costs to promoting our games on social media. It’s great knowing our school truly has our back.”
Tomlinson adds, “Whether it’s the fans engaged at games or alumni, FGCU hockey is a family. Whether you’ve played one year here or four, it’s a privilege to play here. We respect and can’t thank FGCU and the community enough for caring and supporting us. It doesn’t go unnoticed. We don’t have the success we do without the people who are involved and support us. It’s a special place to play.”
