This Q & A with Kevin McNamara appeared in the Brown and Yale Game Program on Nov. 19

Junior Kevin McNamara (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) was named an assistant captain for this season and is playing in his 85th game on Friday night on the blueline. He has three career goals and 26 helpers in his two-plus years for 29 points. He missed his entire sophomore season with a leg injury. As a freshman he led all defenseman with 17 points on two goals and 15 assists in 42 games played. Last season he hit double-digit assists for the second time with 11 to go along with a goal for 12 points. He is joined this season by his brother Jack McNamara, who joined the Raiders as a rookie this season. Father, John, played hockey at Boston College and later in the AHL with the Maine Mariners.

Why did you choose to come to Colgate?

I grew up playing with and against Brian Day, and prior to his decision to commit to Colgate I hadn't heard much about the school or the program. Growing up in the Boston area, the majority of attention is drawn to the Hockey East teams, but when Brian committed and told me about how great the school and the hockey program was, I became very interested. Luckily, Coach Dexter contacted me about coming up for a visit, and I jumped at the opportunity. I loved the school and the people I met, so the decision was easy for me.

What is it like having a younger brother on the team?

It has been great. We have played together on teams before and enjoyed some success, so we're hoping it will carry over to Colgate.

When you are not playing hockey, what are some of the things that interest you?

Wade Poplawski and I like killing time at the movies. We have tried numerous times to get a movie club going on campus, mainly to get some sort of discount at the theatre. We love checking out some of the new releases that come to town throughout year, and especially during the different vacations when we feel like the only students around.

With Thanksgiving coming up, what is the one thing you can't wait to eat on Thursday and why?

I love pumpkin and apple pie. I won't be heading home for Thanksgiving this year, so I hope I can find something comparable to what my grandmother will be dishing out to the rest of my family.

Give us some music artists or song titles that are currently on you iPod?

My iPod has a little bit of everything on it, but I'd say the majority of it is country music. My two favorite artists would have to be Eric Church and Toby Keith.

The team has had a tough start to the ECAC Hockey season, what are some things that need to be improved on?

We know it is a long season and every team will have a few bumps along the way. We need to make sure that we stay focused on the little things each day in practice and take each game one at a time. No one is nervous, we are well aware of what this team is capable of doing.

If you could give advice to youth hockey player that dreams of playing college hockey, what would you say?

I would tell them to have fun and work hard every day. If you are doing those things, the rest will take care of itself.

What are you looking forward to most in the upcoming game at the Prudential Center against Cornell?

It's always fun to get a chance to knock off Cornell, but to do it at a slightly bigger venue makes it a little more exciting.