2001-2002 Bulldog Hockey Feature: Derrick McIver

As an adolescent, McIver was like any other typical kid growing up in Canada. He loved everything about the game of hockey – playing the sport and watching National Hockey League games on television.

One evening in his parent's home in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the Ferris State University forward was sitting on the living room couch watching his favorite sport on television when his father Sandy quipped to him – "You know all those guys on TV didn't get there by watching it."

While one could argue the statement was non-dramatic, the invaluable message conveyed to McIver came through loud and clear. At that point, McIver came to the realization he would have to make a lifelong, unwavering sacrifice to attain any of his personal goals.

"My dad always would say nothing is free and you have to work hard to get anything worth having in life," said McIver. "I knew I had to work a lot harder than others if I wanted something really bad."

While McIver's father has had an impact on his life, so too has his older brother and current FSU senior defenseman Chad McIver. Hard work is a proven common denominator in the McIver family as both brothers have worked in construction with their father during summer break.

Derrick and Chad, who train together year round and also are usually pitted against one another in practice drills, both possess a highly-competitive spirit and are always trying to better the other. The 6-0, 195-pounder is thankful to have him as his big brother.

"I have learned a lot from him," said Derrick. "He works just as hard as I do so we're constantly pushing each other. The competition has certainly been beneficial to me."

Since his father's memorable remark, McIver has never forgotten the oft-used expression of "hard work pays off."

It should then come as no surprise that McIver's hard work has paid dividends. As a freshman in the 2000-01, the Ferris State winger received the team's Rookie of the Year Award after placing tied for eighth among the Bulldogs' leading point leaders with nine points on four goals and five assists in 28 contests. This season, McIver has accumulated a personal career-best 15 points with seven goals and eight assists in his first 22 games of the 2001-02 campaign. His current season point total presently is third highest on the squad and he's also among the team's top three skaters in total minutes played this year.

A season ago, McIver's productivity on the ice may have caught FSU head coach Bob Daniels by surprise but not anymore.

"Derrick does all the little things right and is perhaps our best-conditioned athlete," said Daniels. "He's a strong, two-way player who adds a physical presence to our team and has the ability to contribute offensively.

"His strength and hard work allows him to outplay more skilled players and he usually ends up with the puck when in the corners," added Daniels.

Making a contribution is something McIver takes a considerable amount of pride in doing. He's more than willing to do whatever is asked of him regardless of attracting attention.

"I see my role more as a crash and banger," said McIver, who tailors his playing style to the likes of NHL greats Cam Neely, Brendan Shanahan and Keith Tkachuk. "I'm the type of player who doesn't exactly fit into our style of play, but is essential to have on a team."

McIver has always had an inner strength and a dogged determination to attain his goals. It's what has enabled him to play NCAA Division I college hockey and earn a current scholarship at Ferris State after originally coming to the program last season as a preferred walk-on.

Despite his hard work and solid play on the ice, McIver might have never had an opportunity to play at the collegiate level if not for his brother's intervention and persuading the FSU coaching staff to give him a chance.

"We knew about him because of Chad," recalled Daniels. "Derrick wasn't a highly-touted player. He played on a junior team (Thunder Bay Flyers) which didn't have a lot of success and thus was overlooked by a lot of schools.

"I thought if he was anything like Chad we were going to be lucky," Daniels added.

Fortunately for both, Ferris State was the only school to afford McIver a chance but not because of his lack of effort in being noticed. He sent out letters to every Division I-hockey playing institution and even made a trip to Minnesota-Duluth when they changed coaches but still received no offers.

Being denied an opportunity to play would have been disheartening to most, but the self-directed McIver channeled his frustrations into a positive way and became more determined than ever to succeed.

"I had something to prove," explained McIver. "I wanted to show what those schools missed out on by not taking a look at me. Even though coach (Daniels) invited me for a tryout, I still had to earn a (roster) spot on the team."

McIver managed to secure the elusive roster position and Daniels couldn't be more pleased with what has transpired since his arrival. It didn't take Daniels long to figure out the type of individual he was bringing into the program.

"Derrick knows where he wants to go in life," Daniels said. "He's a dedicated individual with a mission and a plan. He possesses a burning desire to be successful and works extremely hard as a result."

Daniels' admiration for McIver's approach to life every day continues to grow.

"Derrick is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached," stated Daniels. "He's the prototypical Ferris State hockey player because of his attitude, work ethic and approach to academics. We would take as many Derrick McIver's as we could get."

So too would every other college hockey program.

-by Joe Gorby, FSU Sports Information Director