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HANCOCK -- When Alex Rezansoff came in for his official visit to Finlandia University, he left with a couple of impressions: the Lions men's hockey program was one in transition and that he loved the Copper Country already.
As he is finishing his senior season, and second full season as team captain, Rezansoff is, for a lack of a better term, "tickled" to be a part of the first Lions team to go to the NCHA's Harris Cup playoffs for the first time since 2012.
"Coming off of the rough years of the past, this year means so much to me, Bryce (Mitzel), Paul (Lochner) and the others who have been here awhile," he said. "I have so much respect for my teammates who go out there and put it on the line for the guys in the locker room every night."
The journey from his first game as a freshman to his final regular season contest last Saturday went through a lot of twists and turns, but the Red Wing, Minnesota, native would not have it any other way.
"It was a good learning experience," said Rezansoff. "It was tough. You have to show a little sisu, a little grit. I could just tell this program was moving in the right direction."
In his first season, Rezansoff was coached by Dane Litke. The team went through four goaltenders and 33 skaters. Tommy Malkmus and Francois Cote led the team in scoring with nine points. Rezansoff had two goals and seven points, good for fourth.
The team went 1-21-3 on the year. In July, Litke left the program.
Joe Burcar returned to Finlandia in September of 2016, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Burcar, who had not really met with any of his players prior to his arrival, was struck by his discussions with Rezansoff.
"We just connected early on when I got here," Burcar said. "He's a guy you are drawn to because he believes in what we are doing here."
Given his dedication to his own improvement and his willingness to do whatever his new coach wanted from him, Rezansoff quickly grew in stature within the Lions' locker room. He fully embraced the new weight room at the Paavo Nurmi Center. He was, according to Burcar, always of the first ones to work on improving his strength and always one of the last to leave.
His teammates took notice and voted him an assistant captain as a sophomore.
Coaches and players do not always see eye-to-eye, but Burcar believed that his team made the right decision in Rezansoff.
"He was a captain young," said Burcar. "I think it was a lot for him. He handled it well. He didn't back down from being that leader."
That first season (2016-17) was not an easy one for anyone involved. The Lions went 0-25-0, and players shuffled in and out of the varsity program.
Rezansoff was one of 11 skaters to see action in 22 or more contests. He finished tied for third in scoring with six points.
Despite the struggles, Rezansoff believed in the process and worked hard to help his teammates do the same.
"I could tell the program was trending the right way under (Burcar's) leadership," said Rezansoff. "With the help of my teammates, it really has been a great experience."
Last season, Burcar and his staff started to bring in some local players to help supplement Danny Hill and Dylan Farmer, the two local kids on the team. The additions of Marcus Gloss and Cale Markham were just the start. At midseason, Burcar brought in Connor Hannon and Hunter Kero.
The Lions won one game in 2017-18, but they also improved the way they played thanks to the efforts of the local kids. Rezansoff served as team captain, and had a lot to learn through the process of being a young captain.
"It's been great experience," Rezansoff said. "There was a little bit of a learning curve for me, personally, but I am very thankful for the opportunity."
This season, the Burcar and his staff brought in several more new faces, including local players like Teddy Randell and Dylan Paavola.
Having that much in the way of local talent could cause a divide between the locals and those from out of state. Instead, according to Rezansoff, the team gelled into a much more cohesive unit as everyone in the locker room was on board with the team goals, and with the room strong, the product on the ice improved as well.
"That is what is special about the U.P. and this area in particular," said Resansoff. "It's been very welcoming for us. It's been great to have those guys on this team. They know the ins and outs the community. They are just great people as well."
Rezansoff is also enjoying his best offensive season, having picked up 10 points through the regular season. He was named the NCHA's Offensive Player of the Week after a four-point weekend.
While the team is enjoying success on the ice, it is also enjoying success in the community as Houghton County Arena is home to crowd sizes Rezansoff and his classmates only dreamt of as freshmen. He is very thankful for the support he and his teammates are experiencing.
"It means so much," he said. "It makes playing at home an unbelievable time for us. We knew that as soon as we started to put a great product on the ice, this community would notice and really get behind us."
Former Michigan Tech Huskies head coach Mel Pearson had a saying for every outgoing senior when they started their career at Michigan Tech, leave the program in better shape than how you found it. Rezansoff and his classmates, according to Burcar, are doing just that as they have been instrumental in helping the program get back to the playoffs and get a second look at No. 4 St. Norbert this Friday and Saturday night.