Checking in with Keith Kinkaid

Last we heard from Keith Kinkaid (2007 Sachem East), he was travelling all across North America , gaining invaluable experience that he hopes will one day help him succeed at the next level.

Since then, he's not only established himself as the starting goaltender at Union College, but he's got the Dutchmen looking to make history.

As of Nov. 29, Union (7-3-2) is ranked 13th in the USA Today/USA Hockey and USCHO.com polls.

The sophomore netminder has posted a 7-2-2 record, along with a microscopic 1.59 goals against average and a .936 save percentage, good for second and third in the NCAA, respectively. He's added three shutouts and only allowed more than three goals once, in a controversial overtime loss to rival RPI.

Sachem Patch caught up with him recently to see what he's been up to:

Mike Salerno: Hey Keith, thanks for taking some time to talk to me. What do you think it means for your development to be considered one of the better goalies in the NCAA?

Keith Kinkaid: The credit really goes to my coaches and team. Without them, I don't believe I'd be in this situation. Our team is very good defensively which has helped us be successful as a team and individuals.

MS: Your team is No. 13 in the country right now. Did you guys see yourselves as a team that could contend for a National Championship heading into the season?

KK: Yeah, you know our team had a great season last year going the farthest it's gone in Union College history. We returned a strong defensive group along with some top offensive guys also with the addition of a very good group of freshmen. We're young but I believe we can contend for a national title at the end of the year. I see us only making forward progress as the season winds down.

MS: Over the summer, you weren't sure if you were gonna be the starter this season. How has your game progressed to the point where you've not only cemented that job, but really become one of the top players in the country?

KK: I believe that my offseason work and the opportunity to participate in the NHL development camps really helped me develop. I became stronger over the summer and the camps were definitely a confidence booster in my game. This, along with the team playing in front of me, have led to all the success surrounding Union College.

MS: Anything different you did to prepare for the season?

KK: Theres nothing in particular about how I prepared for the season except working on the little things in practice and off the ice to make sure I'm prepared for anything to come my way.

MS: I'm not sure about you, but I'm a big fantasy hockey guy. I was doing some research for my team the other day, and I saw that if there were fantasy rankings for the NCAA, you'd be the sixth best player right now. Did you see that?

KK: Well I had no idea that existed but it's pretty cool. You might need to show me some NHL player rankings to help my fantasy teams though.

MS: You got it. Speaking of the NHL, have you heard from any teams since the season started?

KK: Eh, my family advisor worries about that for me. My main focus is leading Union to a National Championship.

MS: You taking any public relations classes or anything? You sure sound polished.

KK: No, no. But when I was in Vancouver [at their prospect camp] we did go over how to properly do an interview.

MS: Wow, that's pretty cool. So then do you think your hot start has turned some heads at the professional level?

KK: I hope so, but overall I think the team's hot start has turned heads of many.

MS: Speaking of the team, you've had a few weeks off since your last game. What have you been up to?

KK: Not much. I got to go home for two days for Thanksgiving. But besides that we've been battling every day in practice like we had games to get us ready for this weekend.

MS: Any particular opponent you're looking forward to seeing?

KK: Yale.

MS: Why's that?

KK: They're a top three team in the country and we owe them revenge after tying us in our building last year in the dying seconds of the third and another close one in theirs.

MS: That's right, I was at that game. Tough way to lose a lead. Are they your biggest rival?

KK: No, RPI is.

MS: You've got a few friends that go there, don't you?

KK: Yeah.

MS: So you hear any smack talk from them?

KK: Well last year I gave them so much about it since I went 3-0 against them, but surprisingly I havent heard a word this year. Especially when we lost in overtime last game.

MS: Wait, so they haven't said anything to you?

KK: Nope, not yet.

MS: Wow, I'm surprised too. I would've. So you've got two pretty big road trips coming up in a few weeks (to Western Michigan for a pair of games, then to Minnesota for the Dodge Holiday Classic). What are your expectations for those trips?

KK: I expect the team to have a few really good college hockey games and we should be on top at the end of each game.

MS: Getting to play in Mariucci Arena will probably be pretty cool, right?

KK: Yeah. We've played on a few Olympic-size ice surfaces so we can use our speed but the loud atmosphere will be fun.

MS: You play Bemidji State on New Year's Day at 4:00. Are you bummed you might miss the NHL Winter Classic?

KK: I wasn't even aware that we'll miss it but if we do actually miss it, we are going to miss one hell of a hockey game.

MS: Couldn't agree more. Who you got to win that game?

KK: Washington.

MS: How come?

KK: They're just a really fun team to watch.

MS: So you mean more fun than Union?

KK: Absolutely not.