Being all they can be

And the similarities between seniors Jack Barnes and Jordan Seivold don't end there.

Each has also chosen to continue his sports career next fall by joining a military academy: Barnes at Army and Seivold at Navy.

They won't match up against one another, however. Though Army had interest in Seivold for hockey, he instead will play lacrosse for the Navy Midshipmen. Barnes will skate for the Army's Black Knights.

"Each of them, it shows their character and determination," Bears coach John Hamre said. "They have an understanding of a deep, deep level of achievement. It also speaks to their long-term vision.

"They're two of the more determined guys I've had go through this program."

Neither has immediate family with military experience. Each said their decision to join was intrinsic.

"It's something I've always thought about," Barnes said. "There's no reason not to pay a little something back or all the freedoms we have."

Seivold's college decision came down to a choice between Navy and North Carolina, where his parents and brother went to school.

"It would have been cool to follow them," he said. "But at the same time, once I saw the Navy campus, something clicked. I could see myself going there and serving my country for the next 10 years.

"Maybe 30 or 40."

Seivold said he eventually wants to join the SEALs program while Barnes said he intends to enter Army with a "neutral" mindset, though he is fully ready for the five-year commitment.

Their post-high school decisions are drawing praise from teammates.

"It shows how mature and what great leaders they are," said senior Blake Dressen, a tri-captain along with the Seivold and Barnes. "I have nothing but the utmost respect for them. There's plenty of people who could go on to the next level and play. But only a select few who truly are leaders can play at the next level and at such academies."

Still months away from officially being part of the military, Barnes and Seivold have shown the discipline and leadership it takes to be in the service.

Along with Dressen, who will play hockey and soccer for Colby College in Maine next fall, Barnes and Seivold turned the attitude of Blake's hockey team around this season by instituting a pair of rules: silence in the locker room 10 minutes before game warm-ups and a ban on negative talk.

"There's no more asking why we're doing this or that or wondering why we've been put on this line," Barnes said. "It's seemed to really work."

Since a 9-6 loss at Rochester Lourdes on Jan. 8 that Barnes called "embarrassing," the team is 7-1.

"We've all come together and decided we want to do well," Seivold said. "Everybody has said 'let's go at it.'"

Only four games remain before the playoffs, meaning the Bears have ignited at the appropriate time. Now, it's just a matter of keeping the fire alive.

There is no doubt who to look toward for that task.

"The lion's share of the credit goes to these captains," Hamre said. "They all have such different personalities. And when you combine them, they complement each other well."

Brian Stensaas • 612-673-4127