Wildcat hockey player Andrew Gorges expects to graduate in fall 2022 and already has plans for after graduation.

Gorges is from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.

“We played hockey at a very young age up there,” he said.

Growing up, Gorges’ dad bribed his brother and him onto the ice with Skittles. In the winter, his dad would make a rink for them in their backyard.

Gorges came to Weber State University because his brother was recruited by a former coach, and Gorges decided to follow him two years later.

Gorges started college in fall 2017 enrolled as an athletic therapy major and later switched his degree to zoology.

After a few doctors came and talked to his athletic therapy class, Gorges realized that he wanted to switch his major.

Two years into his degree, Gorges went to his academic advisor and decided that the quickest way to get into a medical program or physician assistant program was to switch to zoology.

After graduating from Weber State, Gorges’ goal is to get into PA school.

“It’s a lot less time than medical school, but you do have a lot less responsibility,” he said.

A PA program can take about three to four years to complete, and Gorges plans to enroll in the spring of 2023.

The Weber State hockey team plays in both the spring and fall semesters.

With Gorges graduating half-way through a season, a hockey player is still eligible to play the rest of their season if they take at least one credit in the spring.

“It’s pretty nice because you’re just playing hockey at that point,” he said. “You’re not really doing any school.”

Gorges said club hockey players usually have five years of eligibility. Though, last year the team only played two games because of the pandemic. The players affected by the pandemic year get an extra year of eligibility to make up for the shortened season.

It’s not just hockey for Gorges, he said he enjoys going to the football and basketball games with his teammates as well.

“We just like to trash talk the other team,” he said. “Kyle Lane is an absolute menace out there talking to the other team. It’s hilarious.”

Gorges acknowledged most people don’t graduate in four years and that it’s not a big deal if it takes longer than four years for someone to graduate.

“Take as many credits as you can without overwhelming yourself,” Gorges said. “You’re going to change your major. You might fail some classes. So just take as many credits as you can.”

The Wildcats have finished out their fall season but Gorges anticipates an exciting spring season and following years for the Wildcat program.

“Our freshman class is pretty crazy right now,” Gorges said.

Gorges will continue his season with Wildcat hockey when they resume play on Jan. 7 against BYU.