Brian Kang - Home Is Where The Heart Is

Feature story written by Larry Scott

It's been said home is where the heart is, and while there may still be truth in the ageless adage, sometimes in life it becomes necessary to leave the nest to reach your dreams.

When Brian Kang decided it was time to leave Vancouver, British Columbia to enroll at Concordia College four years ago, he was unsure of what would await, but he was willing to take the plunge. That two willing mentors---Chris Howe and Brett Bruininks---were waiting on the other side to insure a safe landing was an unexpected blessing.

Howe, the men's hockey coach at Concordia, and Bruininks, a former men's assistant and the current women's head coach, quickly eased Kang into the Cobber hockey family and have remained at his side, providing ample inspiration and encouragement.

"Coach Howe has a real strong passion for the game and our team, and he'll do anything for us," said Kang. "He brings us all in, it's like we're part of his family. He even had our whole team over for a Christmas party.

"Brett Bruininks, the women's hockey coach, is a big reason I came here. He has been a real good influence on me. I thought it would be a great experience to learn from him, and it has been."

Howe is grateful for Kang's sizeable contribution to the program.

"Brian brings an incredible work ethic," said Howe. "He takes great pride in his fitness, and he's a terrific skater. His sister is a world class figure skater, and skating has been a big part of his life. He brings that tempo and energy to the team each night.

"He has incredible durability; he's going to be close to 100 games at Concordia. He's dependable and independent, but people gravitate to him; they know he'll figure something out. You know he's going to be there, you know what you'll get from him. Our team has learned a lot from him about being consistent, and he works hard whether it's a Saturday morning practice or a Friday night game."

"The best part of Brian is that he's a very good student and he's excelled in the classroom. He's found something he's passionate about. I don't know how I'll replace him; he's a very unique individual."

A product of the University of Notre Dame and a former professional hockey player, Bruininks is in his third full season as head coach of the Concordia College women's program. He is clearly impressed with Kang's on-ice skills and his appreciation of the game.

"Brian has the speed and power, and very few people will outwork him," said Bruininks. "I don't think there are too many people who enjoy the game and team environment as much as he does."

Bruininks, who is also the chair of the exercise science program in the Health and Physical Education Department at Concordia sees much more in Kang.

"Brian is a unique student-athlete. He's tremendously talented on the ice as well as in the classroom--hardworking, dedicated, detail-oriented and conscientious. What separates him from a lot of students is his ability to grasp difficult concepts and apply them to a variety of environments and populations. He's intuitive and creative in his thinking, and he has the ability to put others first, all qualities that graduate schools and future employers seek."

Kang's fascination with the game began years ago. "I started playing at five years old," said Kang. "My parents put me into it and I liked it right away. My dad played a little football and one day he asked if I as interested in hockey. I also played a little bit of basketball and rugby growing up."

As a young player Kang developed a serious work ethic that continues to pay dividends years later. "I could skate pretty good, and I was fast. (I've found) as you get older the skill level gets higher and more competitive . Learning how to keep working hard and not giving up is important; you don't always see the results right away, but it will come back."

The odyssey that led Kang from the western edge of Canada to the Red River Valley was a major learning experience. "I played five years total of Junior "A" hockey," said Kang. "I was years old when I moved away from home to play and stay with billet families. I played Junior "A" for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the British Columbia Hockey League. Many players go on to play college hockey in the United States, including a lot who play Division I.

The Cobber atmosphere certainly agrees with Kang. "It's been great, I've met a lot of people outside of hockey, and the staff here is great. It's an awesome campus, and there are a lot of high quality teachers. Minnesota is just like Canada, and the hockey emphasis is very similar to back home. We've a lot of guys on the team from Winnipeg and Alberta. It's good to have a little diversity."

"I try to recruit a dynamic lineup," explains Howe. "I don't try to bring in a bunch of guys who are all the same, and we have is a very good mixture. I thought Canada is very close, and since we have a great international program at Concordia we tapped into that."

Kang is a major contributor once again this winter and has played in all 13 games. A center with the Cobbers, Kang is tied for third on the club with nine points on four goals and five assists. He ranks third with 26 shots.

Kang has certainly grown on the job in his first three years at Concordia and is more than willing to accept additional leadership responsibility. He also knows it's important to be versatile and adapt to a variety of line changes. "I like being a leader, and working with different partners."

The Exercise Science major insists hockey will always stay a part of his life, even after his Cobber career expires. "I would like to try and play pro hockey somewhere. I hope to try out and see if I can make a team, and later do grad school in physical therapy. I would like to give back to the game, and coaching would be a lot of fun."

Kang clearly has some priorities on his personnel to-do list for his last year at Concordia. "We'd like to win the conference, make it in the playoffs, and win the playoffs. It's our goal every year. We're sitting in a good spot right now, but our upcoming conference games are really important."

Kang and the Cobbers, 5-7-1 overall and 3-3-0, visit Wisconsin-River Falls and Wisconsin-Eau Claire in a non-conference road series January 4-5, and return to league play against Augsburg College January 11-12 in Minneapolis.

Kang enjoys the competitive nature of the MIAC. "It's a high-speed league, and we see a lot of good players. It's a little faster and there are a lot of skilled young players around the State of Minnesota. It's a fun league to watch."

Kang enjoyed the holiday season, but vowed he maintained his shape during the recess. "There's always ice around Canada."