Heichman named assistant captain in senior year

Heichman named assistant captain in senior year

By Nick Sczerbinski, QBSN Staff Writer

Standing at five feet six inches, Spencer Heichman is one of the four shortest players in Division I men's ice hockey, but he hasn’t let that get in his way.

Heichman has excelled during his time here at Quinnipiac, playing on the men's ice hockey team for all four years after coming here on scholarship. After three seasons of significantly contributing to the Bobcats’ success, Heichman was recently named the team’s assistant captain for the 2011-2012 season.

Heichman has never let his size stop him from reaching his goals. He was a five-sport varsity athlete during his high school career at Bishop Heelan Catholic in Yorba Linda, Calif., playing tennis, lacrosse, field hockey, cross country, and his main sport, ice hockey.

He then continued on to the Sioux City Musketeers of the United States Hockey League where he was the team captain in 2007-2008 and led the team with 23 goals and added 24 assists to finish third on the team with 47 points.

He has seven points in 16 games this year, and has totaled 35 points in his career for QU and said he has found a way of play that works for him and doesn't see that changing any time soon.

“I have overcome my size obstacles by committing to being the hardest working player on the ice at all times. I have a never say ‘never’ attitude in which I motivate the attitudes of my teammates,” said Heichman.

Heichman's work ethic and personal drive have made the task of stopping him no small order.

“I like to think my size doesn’t play any obstacles to me. I like to tell myself that I have other benefits and features that other players don’t have,” he said.

He is also a believer that there is nothing holding back other players that may lack size on the ice. 

“The message I have is to never listen to any one who says you can’t do that because you’re too small,” said Heichman. “I always told my doubters that I may not be the biggest player out there, but my heart’s way bigger than anyone else.”