Badger senior captain Andy Wheeler can sum up his outlook on hockey in one line: \I don't like getting beat, and I get really upset when something doesn't go my way,""
This philosophy drives Wheeler to succeed on the ice and throughout his life, culminating in his position as the captain of the 2001-'02 Wisconsin men's hockey team.
Hailing from Duluth, Minn., Wheeler began playing hockey when he was 2-years-old.
""You're pretty much born on skates, Dad drops you off at the rink and picks you up later in the day,"" Wheeler said.
Wheeler eventually became a star winger for Duluth East High School, earning All-State honors while racking up 55 points and leading the team to a berth in the state finals during his senior season.
Following his success in high school, Wheeler looked to go out east and attend an Ivy League school.
Hockey was his top priority, though, and it ended up influencing his decision on where to attend college.
""I didn't want to settle for a lesser program,"" Wheeler said, ""So I decided to walk on here at Madison and challenge myself.""
Wheeler's hard work paid off once he became a Badger. After redshirting his first year, Wheeler's contributions on the ice have steadily increased.
He scored his first career goal in his redshirt freshman season, became part of the regular rotation as a sophomore and contributed 25 points as a junior. Now, Wheeler captains the team as a senior.
Wheeler is proud to be the captain of this year's Badger team, but is thankful that his leadership is needed most on the ice.
""I'm glad it's [hockey] season,"" Wheeler said. ""It's hard to lead in the weight room and in practice. I'm kind of a goof guy in the weight room, and it gets a little hard to be a leader there. I work hard, but I definitely have my fun.""
Wheeler leads by a determined work ethic and a belief that actions speak louder than words.
""I lead by example, going out and playing hard and showing up every night,"" Wheeler said. ""I find that's easy to do.""
Wheeler is often very effective when the Badgers are shorthanded, and he explained how he views this situation.
""I'm very competitive,"" Wheeler said. ""When I'm on the penalty kill, I look at it as an extra challenge. I look at the puck as being mine and whenever they have it, I've got to get it.""
Wheeler takes pride in the success he has achieved in hockey, as well as in academics. He has been on the Big Ten and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association All-Academic teams for the past two years and looks to continue this in his senior year.
Looking back at the journey, Wheeler remarked with some satisfaction at his progress.
""Its nice to be where I'm at, to see the long road I traveled,"" Wheeler said.
The road is not over yet, though, as Wheeler hopes to lead UW to an impressive regular season, and more importantly, postseason success.
