Andrew Hockey Standout Kubiak Skating After College Scholarship Dream

Jeff Kubiak is well-versed in the commitment it takes to becoming something more than a good hockey player.

At 17 years old, with a world of choices and opportunity in front of him, playing hockey ranks right next to eating as Kubiak's favorite thing to do. And he wants to keep playing in college and, perhaps, well beyond.

But unlike in most prep sports, hockey scholarships often are handed out to players competing with amateur teams, not high school teams.

So, before the start of his senior year at Andrew High School, Kubiak visited his academic counselors to discuss his class slate. He needed to iron out a schedule so he could hold down the spot he earned in tryouts with the Chicago Steel, a United States Hockey League organization.

With hopes of earning a scholarship through his play in the top-flight amateur leauge, Kubiak acknowledged the need to get creative with his class schedule in order to compete with the team.

“I put in six to seven hours a day practicing with the Steel," he said. "It can be really hard to balance school and hockey, but my guidance counselors were very accommodating.

"They set up my schedule so I only have four classes. I’m done with school around noon, and as soon as I finish, I drive an hour to Bensenville to practice with the team."

In doing so, Kubiak is setting himself up for future success on the ice.

The USHL is considered the highest level of amateur hockey in the country. Without being paid, the players ranging from ages 16-20 retain their amateur status as they compete with hopes of securing a college scholarship or being drafted into professional hockey.

This year, former Steel player Jamie Oleksiak was drafted 14th overall in the first round of the NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars.  

“We’re a developmental league across the board,” said John Montalbano, Director of Business Operations for the Chicago Steel.  “The goal of the players is to develop into Division I athletes or professional hockey players, but we’ve had coaches, staff and front office (personnel) move onto the professional level as well.”

Hockey Brother at Bentley University

Kubiak was well aware of the hectic schedule he’d soon embark upon before he committed to the team. His older brother, Alex, played for the Chicago Steel. During his time in the organization, he earned a college scholarship to play hockey at Bentley University in Massachusetts.

“My brother is how I got involved with the Steel," Jeff Kubiak said. "He is a few years older, so we never got a chance to be on the same team, but I’ve always looked up to him."

But don’t confuse the admiration for a lack of brotherly competitiveness.

“We give each other chirps,” Kubiak said. “We trash talk about who is scoring more or playing better. He’s not going to like this, but I think I’m the better player.”  

Growing up in a family with an intense love for hockey, the Kubiak boys learned their way around a rink at an early age. The brothers learned to skate by the time they were 3 years old.

“My dad really loves it, he never misses a game," Kubiak said. "He’s been an assistant coach of mine for a while, but he was never my head coach. I love hockey, so it was great to be brought up in that environment.”

 After getting to lace up his skates for his first pre-season game with the Chicago Steel, Kubiak was impressed by the quality of play on the ice. 

“It’s way different than my last league," he said. "The game moves so much faster here. It’s definitely a big step up in competition.”

But that’s not to say Kubiak was overwhelmed. The forward assisted on a goal in the Steel's 5-4 loss to the Indiana Ice.  

“I just want to have a successful year and get a college commitment before the end of the year,” Kubiak said. “I’d like to follow in my brother’s footsteps." 

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