GRAND RAPIDS – Thursday’s weather forecast in San Diego read 65 degrees, sunshine and zero percent chance of precipitation.
Brent Gates Jr. of Grand Rapids will take Michigan weather any day, though. Well, at least Friday and Saturday’s weather.
Gates, a 22-year old left winger with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League, arrived at the Van Andel Arena Thursday and worked out with his teammates. The Gulls are in town to take on the Grand Rapids Griffins Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. both games.
Gates grew up rooting for the Griffins and dreaming about someday playing at the Van Andel. Sure, Gates daydreamed about playing for the Griffins when he was a kid. But this is close enough.
“I grew up a big hockey fan and this was the thing to do hockey-wise around here,” Gates said. “Coming to the games here when I was young and just being a fan as a kid and looking up to how they played and trying to model my game after some of these guys, and now to be able to come back and play on this ice is really cool.
“It will be different with the fans and the crowd and obviously lining up against the Griffins. We played them once earlier this year in San Diego, and that was even cool for me. But to be able to do it in front of your hometown crowd here in Grand Rapids will be awesome.”
Gates hasn’t played in his hometown since he was 13 years old, so he has been itching to get back regardless of the forecast. In fact, he said Michigan weather isn’t that bad.
“I definitely miss the weather here, I thought I would never say it.,” Gates said. “It takes leaving to really miss it. The weather is great out there and it’s a beautiful city and San Diego is an awesome place to live, but there is a certain homey vibe here, and it’s always nice to be back in the tundra.”
Gates’ father played Major League Baseball for seven seasons, including stops in Oakland, Seattle and Minnesota. The elder Gates returned to West Michigan after retiring and coached high school baseball, and Gates played for his father at Grand Rapids Christian, including the Eagles’ 2012 and 2013 Division 2 state championship winning teams.
But Gates decided that hockey was going to be his game by the time he was 16. He moved to Wisconsin and played for the Green Bay Gamblers in 2014 and 2015 before embarking on a four-year career at the University of Minnesota.
The Gulls are affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks in the National Hockey League, and they drafted Gates with the 19th pick of the third round in 2015. Gates played in six games with the Gulls last year after completing his college career, and he started this season with the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL. He was recalled by the Gulls on Dec. 3.
“I probably haven’t played in Grand Rapids since I was in youth hockey when I was 13,” Gates said. “I played at Michigan State in college, and that was probably the closest in college. So it has been a long time.
“I marked (this weekend) on the calendar. I would have definitely been disappointed if I had missed out on it. I was counting down the days during the year. I’m really excited that I got to come back here.”
Gates scored his first AHL goal of the season on Dec. 11 against the Griffins when Grand Rapids visited San Diego in the third game of the season. Gates has scored three goals this season.
“It’s a lot different than college in a lot of different ways,” Gates said. “It’s your main focus, and obviously, you’re not focused on school. It has been a different experience for me, but definitely one that I have enjoyed so far. I’m making money. Money is nice. Being able to do this as a career, at least for now, is something I always dreamed of and something I hope to continue to do for a long time.
“Guys are older, bigger and faster than college. Every time you jump up a level, it is a big adjustment. It is still the same game, it is still hockey. But the guys here are really good. No matter who you are playing with, you are playing with good players, and they make your job easier.”
Gates said one of the best things about returning home is having a homecooked meal and spending time with his family. He expects about 20 family members to attend this weekend’s games.
While Gates lives across the nation, he said he keeps in close contact with his family, including his father. The elder Gates is returning to coach Christian’s baseball team this spring.
“I talk to my dad a ton,” Gates said. “He has been through the ups and downs. Baseball is a tough sport mentally, so with the mental side of things, he is able to help a lot, dealing with adversity, dealing with failure. I talk to him just about every day and just about life. He is good at taking my mind off the game too when I need that. He has been a huge help. I don’t think I could do it without him.”