By Izabela Gage Asst. Sports Editor The ice rink is more than just a place to compete for the Framingham State men’s ice hockey team. The ice became a second home for every player as they began to fall in love with skating and stick handling. The Rams have used the opportunity of sharing Loring Arena with the City of Framingham to build connections and inspire the next generation of hockey players. The men’s ice hockey team hosted a hockey coaching event with the Framingham Flyers Mite A’s on Nov. 15. The Rams spent 30 minutes with the young skaters - doing drills, working on their shooting skills, playing short games, and encouraging them. Head Coach Michael Bailey said, “We spend so much time at the rink with these kids. … We are able to get to know them at a level where we're friendly and know each other. It just creates a better environment to come to the rink every day.” Bailey said even though many of the Rams come from all over the country, “They all come from a community that was strong in support.” He said planning events like these benefit the Rams as much as the Mite A’s and “it helps put things into perspective. It makes them well-rounded student-athletes.” He added the team is always focused on trying to win and get better. “But, at the same time, you realize that it’s just a game, and there's no better example of that than when you see a little kid smile from scoring a goal just in practice.” Kaleb Kinskey, a graduate student, said, “If we can build the next generation to be bigger and better, that’s what it’s all about. “They just enjoy us being around. They want to be us someday. … They just want to play as long as they can. They want to be a part of something like us,” he added. The team left a lasting impression on not only the young skaters, but their families as well. Gretchen Applebaum, a Framingham Flyer Mite A’s hockey mother, said the team planning this clinic means a lot - not only to the kids, but the parents as well. “I want to say all these kids have grown up in the rinks since they were days old. “The Framingham State Rams are like the Bruins to them. They see these guys every Friday night. … So when we come into the rink every Friday night, they get excited. They're like, ‘Oh, it's the college guys,’” she added. Applebaum said this type of event is full circle for all of the skaters. “I'm sure those guys were out there as little kids one day - their moms and dads were waking up at 5 a.m. to go to practices and making sure their education was good so they could get into college, and then they're lucky enough to actually play the sport in college.” Bailey said every player has a role model who impacted them growing up. “Some of the high school kids where I grew up would come and help out. That was my dream - to play in high school. It gave me some direction, some focus, and something to reach for. “The best thing you can do is return the favor and maybe do the same for a little kid. … It goes full circle,” he added. Brady Rossbach, a sophomore, said when he was younger, he always looked up to the “older guys who were bigger, faster, and play at a high level. And you want to do that someday, too. “I skated with some junior hockey players who were in my town and I always looked up to them. I wanted to play for their team and play college hockey,” he added. Applebaum said it was more than just a practice for the kids. “This is probably the highlight of their little lives tonight. The head coach and his team went beyond our expectations - the way they did the drills, the way that the guys interacted with the kids, all of the morale. They did the most amazing job ever.” Kinskey said, “These little kids look up to us and if we get to go out there and make their day and just make them smile - that's everything.” Rossbach said, “Hopefully, they can play where we play. We want to help their dreams come true and help them get better at hockey.” Kinskey said, “Giving back to the hockey communities is what we look forward to. “We want to give back as much as we possibly can,” he added.