The senior season of St. Lawrence University defenseman Dylan Woolf has been nothing like his first three.

Woolf has been through some trying times during his career but a season with only three different opponents is one like no other. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, eight of the Eastern College Athletic Conference’s (ECAC) 12 teams have pulled out of the 2020-21 season. The pandemic has also caused most schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to limit their schedules to conference games only. As a result, St. Lawrence is spending its season playing Colgate, Clarkson and Quinnipiac only. “It’s different,” Woolf said. “There are teams in there we wish we were playing and we feel for them that they, unfortunately, had their seasons canceled.”

Like the NHL, the ECAC teams are seeing a lot more of their rivals, creating more animosity between clubs. “With just the other three teams in the league this season, it’s created more rivalries,” Woolf said. “You start to understand the players on each team and there’s definitely going to be more rivalries coming out of this condensed team season and it ultimately makes for very competitive games which have been really fun for us.” Unfortunately, these rivalry games don’t feature fans. “Especially the Clarkson game, there’s something missing,” Woolf said.

Due to COVID restrictions, St. Lawrence has had to play in empty barns all season long. “It’s different for sure,” Woolf said. “We definitely miss [the fans’] the energy and enthusiasm and support behind us.” That support is still felt, however, through the power of technology. “I’ve received texts from many fans who are still tuning in every night and still wishing us all the best,” Woolf said. “It’s great to hear from them.”

The conference tournament will be a four-team affair and the Saints will have a chance to make noise. St. Lawrence hasn’t advanced in the ECAC playoffs since 2016 but Woolf has confidence in his group. “I love our chances,” Woolf said. “With only four teams and it’s just a one-game series, it just comes down to playing a full 60 minutes for two games. I know the other teams will be bringing their best as well so it’s going to lead to a fun and exciting postseason.”

No fans and a smaller tournament are some of the many adjustments the Saints have had to make. As a captain for a third season, Woolf has been leaned on to help his team navigate the uncertain times. “It’s adversity that we were faced with early on and the biggest thing is we kept attacking what we were going through with a positive attitude,” Woolf said. “There were times in the first semester when things did get tough when our games got canceled, spirits were down a little bit.” The most important thing for St. Lawrence is to keep the eyes on the prize. “At the end of the day, having a clear vision and a goal of where we’re trying to get to at the end of the season with the ECAC [tournament] and, hopefully, the NCAA tournament,” Woolf said. “There’s going to be bumps in the road but everyone is pulling in the same direction to achieve our goals.”

Woolf was named a co-captain during the 2018-19 campaign and has worn the “C” ever since. “It’s an incredible honor and also comes with a lot of responsibility,” Woolf said. “Over the years I’ve grown as a leader.” During his time as a leader on the team, Woolf has tried to take a unique approach. “Too often you can accept the leadership as a position but I think it’s more of a role,” he said. “It’s what you do in your daily habits, it’s the relationships you build with the alumni and the coaches and, ultimately, it’s the way that you instill your belief and passion within St. Lawrence hockey and leading the younger players throughout their journeys here.”

Throughout his own journey at St. Lawrence, Woolf has grown as a player and a person. “My first few years weren’t the years that I was expecting in terms of my hockey experience but, through those difficult times, I found myself learning a ton,” he said. “Ultimately, it allowed me to grow as a leader. I think I’m most grateful for those challenges we had to go through, it really focused on instilling belief and inspiration into the younger guys within the organization and we’re starting to see some success and the change of culture we were looking for so far this season.”

Through tough years and uncertain times, Woolf has become an important part of the St. Lawrence Saints’ blue line and locker room. In turn, St. Lawrence has become an important part of him. “Looking back on my experience here, it really has been incredible,” Woolf said. “I’m very grateful for my time here at St. Lawrence.

John Smark