Ikkala Earns His Army Stripes:

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Ikkala earns his Army stripes

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 13, 2008 6:00 PM Updated: November 13, 2008 7:54 PM

Vipers’ defenceman Cody Ikkala had better get used to early mornings like the one he had on Monday. The Army Black Knights woke the 20-year-old Philadelphia product with a phone call, offering him a scholarship to West Point (New York), one of the most prestigious (and demanding) military academies in the U.S. “They gave me a wake-up call, but it was a good one,” laughed Ikkala, before Wednesday’s practice. “I’ve always wanted to go military. I was raised in Colorado Springs near the Air Force Academy and I always saw the cadets and thought I’d try to pursue that. “It’s an honour to actually go there and to be able to graduate and say you graduated from West Point and survived it. I’m up for the challenge.” There is no great lasting military legacy in the Ikkala family. Quite the opposite – his grandpa’s brothers were the last ones to enlist. But if Ikky’s dedication to the Vipers and well-mannered demeanor are any indication, he should fit in well at West Point. An added bonus is the Black Knights, who play NCAA Division 1 in the Atlantic Hockey Conference, are only 90 minutes from Philly. “It’ll be a new adventure for sure,” said Ikkala, who’ll report for boot camp next summer. “You could have a normal day job or you could have the thrill of your life in the military. “There’s two ends of the spectrum, and everyone’s kinda laughing at me. I either want to go into environmental science where I clean up old war zones and replant the land, or... go into combat where I’d fly those Apache helicopters.” Whichever route the affable Ikkala chooses, he’ll have to put in at least four years of education (six if he wants to blow stuff up with the Apache) plus a minimum five years of service with the Army. His solid academic background will put him in good stead. “I thank my mom for that, pushing me every day,” said Ikkala. “Whenever I had a bad teacher, she’d say ‘at least get a good grade in it.’” Ikkala was limited to just 38 B.C. Hockey League regular-season games last year due to injury, and a bout of mononucleosis that sidelined him for several weeks. He recorded a goal and four assists. Realizing he was behind the curve, Ikkala put in a ton of work in the off season, and it paid off. While he may only have six assists in 24 games, his ability to take care of the defensive zone – especially on the penalty kill – has improved immensely. “If I was working at (8 a.m.), I’d get up at five in the morning and train for two hours, go to work, come home, and train some more,” said the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder. Added second-year d-man Steve Tresierra: “He’s definitely improved a lot. He’s come back bigger and stronger and he’s able to throw guys around more in the corners. He’s more of a leader this year, and he’s got a lot more confidence, and is starting to carry the play and take control of the game.” Vipers head coach Mark Ferner took note of Ikkala’s dedication and increased presence in the dressing room and slapped an “A” on his left shoulder. “Coming in last year, it was a new situation, a new league, but his work ethic is second-to-none and he had a very good summer again this year,” said Ferner. “He brings a dimension to our team that not a lot of teams have – he’s a puck-moving defenceman that has a little bit of an edge to his game and he’s more than willing to stick up for his teammates. “He’s got this (scholarship) off his mind now, and now he can just concentrate on going out and playing hockey. Hopefully some of our other guys will realize that through hard work and dedication, good things will happen.”