JAMESTOWN — When he was applying to colleges, Jamestown native Easton Romsdal found something in his hometown that he couldn’t find anywhere else.
“My main reason to stay in Jamestown for college was my opportunity to play both hockey and golf,” said Easton, a junior at the University of Jamestown. “I couldn’t find that anywhere else. I had played both sports my entire life and I couldn’t imagine quitting either of them after high school.”
Easton’s younger brother, Vaughn, shared his brother’s sentiments.
“I’ve been skating since I was 2 years old,” Vaughn said. “It’s ingrained in me. It just felt like I couldn’t hang the skates up after my last game of high school (hockey).”
Both Romsdal brothers and their former teammate, Brooks Roaldson, are playing for the University of Jamestown’s ACHA Division 2 hockey team.
“It feels like I’m still playing in good ol’ Wilson Arena, just with a different uniform,” Vaughn said. “The fans have changed and the opponents have changed but night in and night out it feels like the same John L. Wilson Arena. I am so grateful to be playing with Easton and Brooks. We grew up together, as you know, and so we definitely have some chemistry on and off the ice. It is also amazing to watch my brother from the same sheet of ice have an amazing season. Brooks too.”
While the venue might be the same one he played at in high school, Vaughn agreed with his brother that the games themselves look entirely different.
“As a hockey player at this level, you have to adapt to the physicality and speed that the game is played at,” Vaughn said. “I can tell you for sure that it is miles faster than North Dakota High School Hockey and way more physical in all aspects of the game. We have training camp at the beginning of the season with all the D1 (Division 1) players and D2 (Division 2) players. For me, I knew I was being recruited to play on a high-level D2 team so I seemed to fit right in after training camp.”
As of Tuesday, Dec. 22, the Jimmies’ D2 team is 13-4 with an 8-1 record at Wilson Arena. Roaldson, a forward for the Jimmies, has notched six goals and 12 assists for 18 points while Vaughn, a defenseman, has been credited with two goals and nine assists.
Vaughn Romsdal controls the puck during a University of Jamestown men’s hockey game earlier this season.
Contributed / Vaughn Romsdal
“I love playing with Vaughn and Brooks,” Easton said. “Since we share so many childhood experiences playing hockey together, it is fun to do that with some other guys. Also, not a lot of people can say that they played college sports with a sibling.”
Easton is tied for the second-most points accumulated on the Jimmies’ roster. This winter marks Easton’s third year on the team. Prior to accepting the offer to play at UJ, he played for former Blue Jay head coach Matt Stockert. Easton played on the Jays’ varsity squad for two seasons.
“I have really grown as a player since high school,” Easton said. “I always knew that I had the ability, but it wasn’t until college that I found my confidence and have been able to show it more. Also, playing against much better competition at the college level really pushes you to get better.”
The assistant team captain and forward has accounted for seven goals and 13 assists in his 16 games played.
“Playing at Wilson Arena is a lot different in college,” Easton said. “Games are a lot faster, and it’s a totally different game than high school. … once you get to college, everyone is bigger and stronger than high school. That comes from team workouts three times a week, practice every weekday and games almost every weekend. Training in the summer is very important, especially in hockey. In the summer, we don’t have ice to skate on, so getting stronger in the weight room and shooting pucks is very important.”
While the brothers still take the sport extremely seriously, both will be hanging up their skates after college.
“I only plan on playing at this level,” Easton said. “At this point in my hockey career, I know that I’m not going to the NHL, so it’s just about having fun and playing the game I love. I am a junior now and I plan on taking my fifth year after next year.”
Vaughn is in his freshman year with the Jimmies. He has plans to play for the Jimmies the next three years, then will be moving to Fargo to pursue a degree in physical therapy. He will not be playing hockey after he graduates from UJ.
Until then, though — it’s all about hockey.
“UJ is an incredible place to play hockey because of the culture,” Vaughn said. “It is a winning culture, and everyone wants to win every single time we step on the ice. There is also a lot of accountability and great leadership in the program, which leads to a well-run ship.”
” … we are our own team and have a great brotherhood in that locker room,” Easton added. “The memories and relationships will last a lifetime.”
Katie Ringer is a sports reporter for the Jamestown Sun. Katie joined the Sun staff in the summer of 2019 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire with a degree in journalism. She can be reached by email at kringer@jamestownsun.com or by phone at 701-952-8460.