"SIBLING RIVALRY" IS DEFINED AS COMPETITION BETWEEN BROTHERS AND/OR SISTERS. IT IS THE ATTEMPT TO APPEAL TO THE AFFECTION AND ATTENTION, PARTICULARLY AS PART OF THE FAMILY DYNAMIC. FOR THE LAFLAMME FAMILY, IT ONLY BEGINS TO DESCRIBE THE COMPETITIVE NATURE AND PASSION FOR ONE GAME – ICE HOCKEY. Joe, a senior on the ACHA Division III Gold team, is the self-proclaimed ‘spokesman’ of the family, while Mitch is the a junior goal tender for the men’s varsity NCAA hockey team, having played his previous two seasons for ACHA teams at the College. Nichole, a freshman, is no stranger to the ice. She played her first season as a member of the women’s varsity NCAA hockey team. The love affair for this game of “sticks” began at an early age for the Laflamme siblings. Their mother, Denise, encouraged them to take up a sport. “Our mom asked us if we wanted to play hockey like the Detroit Red Wings,” said Joe, who began playing while in the fourth grade. “The first year was very instructional. We all learned how to skate, [after which] the travel competition began.” Mitch, a year behind his brother, started playing in the third grade on travel teams. But Nichole took a slightly different path on the ice. “I began with figure skating,” she notes. “After three lessons, I decided it was not for me. I wanted to play hockey like my big brothers, but convincing my dad, Joe Sr., was another story.” After some coaxing, and a bit of help from her mother, Nichole was able to take to the ice in full gear. “I played my first five years against the boys because girl leagues were not around then. I had a tryout with a 12-and-under team when I was 10 years old and made [it].” The love of the game carried beyond their youth career. Defying the odds, the siblings moved on to remain competitive in college. Their decision to enroll at Adrian was as a result of strong coaches, phenomenal records and the opportunity to become a part of a dynasty.
“I heard about Adrian College from Tony Aukskalnis who went to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s High School, where I also attended,” said Joe. “He mentioned that the coaches were really great and it was an up-and-coming program. Coach (Dan) Phelps was a great person to talk to about the program and I found a spot on the team.”
a shootout moment against Joe. We battled back and forth seeing who could get the upper hand -- Joe would tell you it was usually him.”
For Mitch, it was the pursuit of playing time post high school that defined his decision. “I wanted to continue playing hockey after high school and Adrian’s club hockey program suited me the best. The cost of playing club hockey at another institution is in the thousands of dollars and here it is free, which really was a blessing.”
“It always seemed like there was a game going on. We even played street hockey during the summer months together,” she notes.
Their decision to attend Adrian College holds no regret. Joe established himself on campus, with Mitch fast on his heels with the same ice dreams. Nichole, new to the world of collegiate hockey, notes the ups and downs of attending college with her big brothers.
“Our parents have always been so giving of their time,” said Joe. “If you think about how many hockey games we have played in and all the times they are there to cheer us on, it really is special. All three of us thank them for the sacrifices they have made.”
“I love being here with [them], but honestly the social aspect is not so great,” she quips. “I have two bodyguards. Branching out to talk with the male population [on campus] is difficult.”
Joe plans on remaining in Michigan after completing his major in criminal justice. He also hopes to continue to coach hockey as he has done in Adrian with a youth peewee team. Mitch recently changed his major to sports management, a new degree offered at AC, and aspires to work for a professional team. Nichole has future aspirations of attending law school and eventually getting into television.
But it’s not all for the love of the game. In their family, there is a competitive drive that compels each sibling to strive to be the best – and rival one another. “Nichole would call me to say that she scored two goals,” said Joe. “My response was that I scored four goals.” He notes that often that would end the call with a quick click of the phone. Mitch notes that rivalry extends home, too. “We loved growing up together and having those outdoor games on my grandparents’ lake in the winter. I would goal tend and have
Nichole adds that the family competition goes beyond the borders. “Our cousins live in Canada and we would go up and play outdoors in our own ‘Americans versus Canadians’ match-up."
Family is something these siblings hold close. The Laflammes' support system begins and ends with two parents who have supported them through victory and defeat.
One thing is certain – for these hockey players, their future dreams will never be far from the game that has defined their youth and inspired their collegiate decisions. For the Laflammes – dreaming big doesn’t end on the ice. Neither does a little friendly competition among siblings.
SUMMER 2013
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