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Effinger puts team before pros, spends senior year with 'Hawks

Ben Garbarek

In his senior year, Miami University goaltender Charlie Effinger faced a difficult decision. The number of games he started was cut in half between his junior and senior year, from 17 to only seven, after being relegated to backup goaltender.

Despite the demotion, Effinger knew he had the talent to take his services elsewhere. He could either leave the school and team he loved to play the game he loved or spend the final year of his collegiate career watching his teammates from the bench.

With his sights still set on a professional hockey career, Effinger seriously contemplated leaving Miami to begin pursuing his dream.

"It crossed my mind pursuing a pro career," Effinger said. "(But) it's not in my character to leave (the team) my senior year as a leader."

"Love and Honor to Miami"

The first line of Miami University's fight song is found on signs, advertisements and even license plates, but for Charlie Effinger these words may summarize his college hockey career.

"I love Miami," the senior goaltender said. "I love (this) team. It's a special place. I've had a great four years (at Miami). I've played on some great hockey teams, made friends for life. It's been a great experience."

Effinger's proudest moments came his sophomore year, earning the title of the CCHA's Best Goaltender after ranking first in the conference in both goals-against average (1.83) and save percentage (.931) while ranking second nationally in both categories.

After seeing his playing time decrease for the second consecutive year, Effinger probably wishes he could rewrite his final year for the RedHawks as an encore performance of his sophomore campaign. Yet no one would know that watching him in or out of the rink.

"My daily approach hasn't changed," Effinger said. "I prepare the same way (as if I was starting) so when I get the green light, I'm ready to go."

Friends and foes

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Effinger and junior Jeff Zatkoff knew they would be each other's prime rivals for playing time from day one, however Effinger said that is how they became friends.

"My sophomore year, our first time together, we were watching an ESPN show," Effinger said. "It was about two competing (New York) Giants quarterbacks that went on to win the Super Bowl. One of them said they loved the (other) guy, but wanted him to fail. (Zatkoff and I) looked at each other and said, 'Um, OK ... this can't get any more awkward than right now.'"

As uncomfortable as that initial moment may have been, Effinger said that acknowledging the awkward nature of their relationship helped them put hockey in its place while forging their friendship. That one seemingly insignificant moment revealed the competing natures of their relationship and opened the way for their companionship.

Three years after that ESPN segment aired, "Effie" and "Zats" have developed an unbreakable bond and even room together on every road trip.

Despite their close relationship, Effinger said watching Zatkoff emerge as Miami's primary goaltender and as one of the nation's elite college goalies hasn't been easy. Yet, he said there are no hard feelings about being kept off the ice.

"We're like brothers," Effinger said. "Over three years we spent so much time together that we practically finish each other's sentences. He'll be my buddy after (we leave) Miami. I love competing with him, he makes me a better goaltender and I'm sure he'll tell you the same thing. We grew together and emerged as goaltenders together. We hit it off right from the beginning."

The feeling is mutual.

"We've been best of friends off the ice since I got here," Zatkoff said. "We always want each other to do well, never wish (any) harm. He's been a mentor (for me), he's shown me college hockey. I look up to him and learn from him every day ... I'm going to miss having him around (next year)."

In light of all the time they spend together, Effinger joked that it's almost as if the two were dating.

"We play golf together," Effinger said. "We go to the mall together (too). We've even been spotted on several dinner dates."

An unlikely beginning

It's easy to see why Effinger describes his Miami career as a roller coaster.

He emerged as an unlikely hero for Miami, growing up in the shadows of St. Louis across the border in Belleville, Ill.

"I played baseball up until high school," Effinger said. "Baseball was my sport (going) into high school. I made an elite (hockey) team in St. Louis and became devoted to that. I took off with it after making the team."

Effinger admits his path to becoming a goaltender at Miami is an unlikely one growing up in St. Louis.

"Not exactly a hockey hotbed," he said.

Effinger only learned of his talent in goal by chance.

"We had a (small) house team at the same rink," he said. "We all took turns (playing goal). The first game I played well so they put me in there again. The second day went well again.That day forward I was a goalie."

From playing in St. Louis to donning the Red and White for Miami, Effinger has come a long way.

In four years at Miami, "Effie" was named CCHA Rookie of the Week, became the starting goalie on the nation's top team and earned Miami's Scholar Athlete of the Year award.

All of his accolades culminated in one stellar sophomore season.

"That year I proved I could beat anybody in the country," he said. "I appreciated the awards, but that's just people's perception of how I played. The real rewards were the respect of my teammates."

Perseverance produces character

Following his extraordinary season, Effinger found himself fighting for playing time with Zatkoff.

Battling the emerging Zatkoff and a case of mono, he started to lose his grip on his starting role.

But now, in his final year wearing the Red and White, Effinger played in only one more game than his freshman year.

"It's been frustrating for me," he said. "It's a lower point in my career. I've been on the top, now I'm on the other side and I had to keep working (so) when I get back in there I'm going to prove I can play."After enjoying success as the goaltender for the nation's No. 1 team, Effinger already displayed the talent to start and succeed on nearly any other team in the country.

He faced a difficult situation in front of him: leave the team he loves to play the game he loves, or finish the collegiate career he started as an 18-year-old from downstate Illinois riding the pine.

Many players would wallow in self-pity after a tough situation like this, but his coaches and teammates say he didn't change a bit after deciding to stay at Miami."(Effinger) has had no complaints, no regret," head coach Enrico Blasi said. "He's a character player. It doesn't matter how many games he plays, he hasn't changed his work ethic a bit. He's been beyond expectation, a lot wouldn't react the same way."

Regardless of his deliberations, Zatkoff is impressed with his teammate's maturity through a difficult situation.

"He's handled it great," Zatkoff said. "He's been nothing but positive and always there for (other) guys. Especially being an older guy (on the team), the younger guys look to him."

Leading by example

Effinger said he takes pride in his consistently strong work ethic and attributes it to his success on the ice. "I wanted to be a leader through hard work, lead by example," Effinger said. "I wanted to be a hard worker and competitor, that's just who I am. I wanted to work on improving at something every day. When you have that mentality, the sky's the limit."His hard work isn't lost on those around him either.

"That's what makes him so successful," Zatkoff said. "He's constantly pushing (himself)."

While Effinger undoubtedly longed for a piece of the action as the RedHawks competed for a national championship in the NCAA Tournament, his contributions to Mia mi's most successful season in school history survive without a stick or a glove. "His leadership is immeasurable," Blasi said. "He's a guy you want in your locker room, on your team. We believe in him 100 percent. He's a big part of our program."Effinger seemed to have it all his sophomore season; even his beloved St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series that year.

The RedHawks' magical 2008 season ended March 30 with a Boston College shot past Zatkoff. Miami's season ended with the bounce of a puck, and so did Effinger's career at Miami, as he watched with his main foe and best friend in goal for the final game of his career.


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