Max Neill is making the jump to division 1 college hockey.

The Portage product is looking to be one of the staples of the Lindenwood University program as they transition from a division 3 school to a division 1 team. Neill says it's cool to have the same rookie season as the team itself.

"It's a new thing and as our coach says, we're creating history. It's nice to start a culture and get things rolling," Neill explains. "He always says, 'When you look back in ten years or 20 years, you'll be able to say that we started this.' It's been a process. There's obviously growing pains with a new team but it's been really fun."

The local forward spent last season in the North American Hockey League and says it was almost shocking to see how high the skill level was in his first few games this year. Neill notes they have one of, if not, the hardest schedule in the NCAA this year as their first two games were against the second-ranked University of Minnesota and in the following two contests they took on the seventh-ranked University of Michigan.

"It's been crazy and the transition has been huge. Half of those guys are NHL draft picks. We played the third overall pick from last year (Logan Cooley)," Neill continues. "It's been insane. They're on another level and they have a gear that we don't have but I think we did a pretty good job trying to contain those guys. We lost 4-0 in the first game (against Minnesota) and lost 6-4 in the second game. So, we did really well and exceeded all expectations as a new team, I'd say."

Last season, Neill put up 49 points in 60 games with the Minnesota Wilderness. The Portager outlines the most important skill he picked up during the 2021-22 campaign.

"Just playing to the middle of the ice, especially offensively. We kind of have a similar style here, which has been easy for me as a centreman to take what I learned from those coaches as these coaches think the same way. It's been awesome."

The Central Plains Capitals alumnus talks about the goals he wants to accomplish in his freshman year.

"I'm just trying to play as much as I can, stay in the lineup, and contribute a little bit offensively. I was lucky to get my first goal last weekend (in a 7-6 win over Air Force) at home. We don't play at home until February now. We only have one more home stand, so that was fun. But just being consistent and staying in the lineup is my goal."

Neill says it's not ideal to play over three months of consecutive away games but adds it's all about preparing above the shoulders when on a long road trip.

"You just have to try to stay mentally focused wherever you are. We've already been shell-shocked by playing at Mariucci in Minnesota and playing at the Yost in Michigan. Those are two crazy places to play, especially for your first two weekends of college hockey," says Neill. "Trying to stay mentally sharp is the biggest thing and to remember what you're trying to get done, which is win and develop."

The 21-year-old adds the college crowds are much crazier than he ever experienced at the Junior level and notes when they played in Michigan, the school band would play after every hit. Neill says it makes for a very different environment and he loves it.

"I like the crowd. For us, as a team, we don't have anything to lose as a brand-new team. So, all the pressure is usually on the team we play because they don't want to lose to a new program. I don't think we play with pressure and that's been a positive for us."

Neill describes Lindenwood as a defensive-oriented team that plays with pace. He notes they get outshot a lot but they tend to capitalize on their scoring chances when they come. The Portage native says he's already become a better player defensively through six games this season.

"I've learned how to tighten my defence. We do a lot of switches. We don't play man-on-man defence anymore. It's all about switching with the next available guy and understanding how to connect with your linemates and play as a group, rather than individually."

Neill and Lindenwood are 1-5 so far this season and will kick off a 16-game road trip this weekend in Springfield, Massachusetts, as they play a set of back-to-back games against American International College.

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