As the season winds down and graduation is just around the corner, three key members of the Cortland Men’s Ice Hockey program: Cole Haldane, Evan Venth, and Max Taylor, are already manifesting their future. With different timelines and career goals, each player brings a unique story to the table, but all three share a deep commitment to the game and a drive to succeed long after their skates leave the Alumni Arena.
Cole Haldane, the team assistant captain from Clifton Park, N.Y., is weeks away from completing his degree in exercise science with an outstanding 3.98 GPA. Despite the pressure of academics, Haldane stayed locked in on the ice this season, leading the team in points and pushing through a year that tested the group’s resolve.
“This season was upsetting because we didn’t get to go to nationals,” Haldane said. “We were competing with the top teams, and everyone was firing on all cylinders. Once we got that news, it deflated a lot of guys.”
But Haldane refused to let the disappointment dictate his play. He continued to bring his best effort night in and night out, leading by example and trying to keep the team motivated through the home stretch.
“I’ve always had a love for the game, and I couldn’t just give up,” Haldane said. “Even when things didn’t go our way and the season didn’t end how we wanted, I still felt that responsibility to show up and compete.”
Off the ice, Haldane has his sights set on a career in diagnostic medical imaging, but hockey remains close to his heart. He hopes to stay involved as a coach for Bantam or any of the local 18U teams while he begins his professional life.
As team president, Evan Venth has spent his final year balancing leadership responsibilities with academic and career planning. From Bohemia, N.Y., Venth is wrapping up his studies while actively applying for summer jobs and networking in hopes of entering professional hockey operations, possibly as a team manager or similar.
“My focus right now is finishing the school year strong and making connections with people in my major,” Venth said. “I’ve been applying to a lot of different organizations to keep me busy this summer.”
He’s aiming to land a job in game day operations with a pro ice hockey team and is open to relocating outside of New York to make it happen.
Raised in a tight-knit Long Island neighborhood, Venth credits his hometown for instilling the value of community and connection. In the summer, he recharges by spending time at the beach and playing pickleball with friends – many of whom live just minutes away.
“Bohemia is small, but it’s diverse and supportive. I’ve been lucky to grow up surrounded by people who back each other,” he said.
For junior forward Max Taylor, this past season was one of growth, reflection, and looking ahead. The Hamburg, N.Y., native put up 12 points in 15 games and is already focused on leading a national championship push next year.
“We had a tough season,” Taylor said. “A lot of close games and a lot of talent, but we struggled to hold leads. Still, it was a learning experience, and I’m looking forward to next season.”
Balancing ice hockey with his studies in Sports Management, Taylor also works at a local country club golf course and is set to begin an internship in the fall. His long-term goal: to break into the sports industry, ideally with a major organization like the NHL, NFL, or MLB.
“I want to use my connections and work ethic to land something big,” he said.
Growing up in Buffalo, Taylor was surrounded by passionate sports fans and proud traditions. Living near Lake Erie and attending Buffalo Bills and Sabres games fueled his own dreams of working in pro sports.
“There’s so much love for the teams in Buffalo, it’s part of who we are,” he said. “It’s inspired me to chase this path and continue evolving myself in the area of sports.”