During his four seasons at ASU, former Sun Devil Hockey Club defenseman Adam Blossey acted as if every moment on the ice was his last.
That "never give up" attitude ensured that his days of playing competitive hockey would not end when his collegiate eligibility did.
On July 7, Blossey signed a one-year professional tryout contract with the Netherlands' Groningen Grizzlies. He reports for training camp on Sept. 10.
"I just plan on going over there and having fun," Blossey said. "It's not the NHL or anything, but it gives me a chance to continue playing."
Blossey's contract includes an apartment to stay in, hockey equipment and approximately 500 Euros a month. If he doesn't perform up to the Grizzlies' desired standards, they have the right to let him go.
Groningen's season runs from early October to late February. It is the second highest level of professional hockey in the Netherlands, similar to the AHL in the United States, or a AAA baseball team.
An impressive performance with the Grizzlies could land Blossey a more lucrative deal with a team in the Netherlands Elite league, the country's premier hockey league.
"I'm interested to see how it is," Blossey said. "I don't know too much about it, but I've talked to people who have played over there, and it will definitely be interesting."
Groningen placed second in its league last season. It plays one home game and one road game each week.
Succeeding in Europe will be no easy task for Blossey. The games are played in bigger rinks and a more open style is used on the ice, emphasizing quickness with the puck.
Blossey said that he had a lot of work to do.
"If you're a strong skater, you'll do well," Blossey said. "I have to make sure my speed is up to par as well as my passing. Basically my movement of the puck in the offensive zone has to get better."
Blossey will be the only American on Groningen's roster. Two forwards from Canada will also be joining the team.
After growing up in Minnesota and spending the last four years in Arizona, Blossey said the culture and language differences would take some getting used too.
"They don't bring in too many non-nationals because it costs them money," Blossey said. "I basically want to perform well and show what hockey in the USA is like for the people there because they haven't brought in many people from the states before.
"I would like to do really well in the league with this opportunity. I'd obviously like to move up into the Elite league."
As a freshman, Blossey was the Sun Devil Hockey Club's rookie of the year, recording nine goals and 20 assists in 28 games.
As a sophomore, Blossey had 10 goals and 22 assists in 31 games. He had 11 goals and 18 assists in 32 games his junior season and eight goals and 21 assists in 27 games as a senior last year.
Blossey earned team Most Valuable Player honors in each of his last three seasons at ASU, also being named an American Collegiate Hockey Association Honorable Mention All-American in all three seasons.
As ASU's captain the past two seasons, Blossey helped guide the Sun Devils to back-to-back appearances in the ACHA national tournament.
ASU coach Mike De Angelis said that Blossey's presence would definitely be missed.
"He was a great leader on and off the ice," De Angelis said. "It will definitely be hard to replace him, but we have an excellent nucleus of young people trying out for the team who should be strong candidates."
Blossey doesn't have vast international experience, but he does have some.
In January he helped lead the United States to a 3-3 record at the World University Games in Innsbruck, Austria, recording a goal and three assists. He was one of 22 players on the team.
It was Blossey's superb defensive play during those games overseas that caught the Grizzlies' eye, prompting them to offer him a contract for next season.
De Angelis said Blossey had an excellent chance of excelling in Europe.
"It's a huge opportunity for him to play hockey after college," De Angelis said. "He's such a well-conditioned athlete, and he skates so well. I think his skating and his conditioning and his tenacity will really help him.
"He's one of the only one's I've ever heard of at ASU to ever have an opportunity to play professionally. We're proud that the program has produced someone who can continue on."
Blossey, who graduated in May with a degree in finance, also was named an Academic All-American during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He said he was grateful for his time at ASU, but ready to see where the future would lead him.
"They (ASU Hockey Club) are moving in the right direction," Blossey said. "Next year they will be playing in an awesome facility (the Alltel Ice Den), they will have good competition coming in and they should be a lot of fun to watch.
"I'll miss ASU. It was great. All of the guys were great. But, not everyone gets an opportunity like this. I am going to make the most of it."
Reach the reporter at jeremy.a.cluff@asu.edu.
