Hockey brings people together in every caliber that the game is played. From mite hockey, which begins as young as 8 years old, to the big leagues, fans find a common ground and admire what the sport of hockey is all about.

While embracing the culture, Cyclone Hockey has also tried to carry a legacy beyond what it does on the ice.

The team has honored and helped those in need through donations and fundraisers that go to local causes such as auctioning merchandise for the Lions Club, Pink in the Rink, Military night, Tip-A-Cyclone, past involvement with the Boys and Girls Club and more.

From the moment players are taken into consideration in the recruiting process, players are made aware of the value that Cyclone Hockey puts to helping society.

“We want those kinds of kids here,” Division-III coach Scott Ismond said. “When you put on the uniform you’re representing Iowa State, yourself and Cyclone Hockey.”

It’s the community that surrounds Cyclone Hockey that makes the team as successful as it is.

“We look at ourselves as a community team,” Ismond said. “We rely on the support of the Ames and Iowa State community to help support our team. Without the fan base and that support, we aren’t around, so a lot of it is giving back to that community too.”

Coach Jason Fairman believes the actions of his players extend to their development as an adult through college.

“It’s a part of the college experience, it’s one of the reasons you go to college to become a more well-rounded person,” Fairman said. “We’ve had a lot of worthy causes, and it’s important that players are involved with that, and they enjoy it.”

And for some guys, the connection is more personal.

Rey, a St. Peters, Missouri, native, had a strong connection to Military night — one of the fundraisers that the team did to honor and raise money for those who serve in the armed forces.

“A good buddy of mine that I met at Iowa State decided to join the Marines last year,” Rey said. “I absolutely love what he’s doing and I thought it would be cool to buy him a jersey and give it back to him, and I know he will enjoy that, so it meant a lot to me to give something to him.”

While there is an American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) recognition for teams with outstanding community service, Cyclone Hockey said that’s not what drives its charity work.

The team looks at it as a “donation of time” for a cause greater than themselves.

“Two years ago, we were finalists for the ACHA community service award,” Fairman said. “And we have continued to improve our community involvement since then.”