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The Tiger

The Student News Site of Clemson University

The Tiger

The Student News Site of Clemson University

The Tiger

Kelly Kaelblein

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor

All content by Kelly Kaelblein
Patrick O'Brien (20) eyes the puck during Clemson's game against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 29, 2023.

Off the ice: Patrick O’Brien

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter May 29, 2025

If there’s anyone on the Clemson club ice hockey team who understands the power of a legacy, it’s Patrick “Furny” O’Brien. The Westchester, New York native initially decided he wanted to play...

Ronan Bryant (93) moves the puck up the ice during Clemson's game against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 29, 2023.

Off the ice: Ronan Bryant

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter May 29, 2025

Coming from Lexington, Massachusetts, Ronan Bryant was hesitant about choosing Clemson at first. But looking back four years later, he now knows without a shadow of a doubt that he made the right choice...

Ethan Callahan (24) moves the puck towards the net during Clemson's game against Ole Miss on Feb. 1.

Off the ice: Ethan Callahan

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter May 20, 2025

Ethan “Cally” Callahan decided to come to Clemson from Horseheads, New York, with just one thought in mind: he did not want to play hockey anymore. However, in a true testament to his love of the game,...

Forward Tommy Papa (22) watches the puck during Clemson's game against Charleston in 2022.

Off the ice: Tommy Papa

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter May 20, 2025

For someone who didn’t start playing hockey until the age of 11 — an unheard-of delay for players who typically begin skating as soon as they can walk — forward Thomas “Tommy” Papa found no trouble...

Christian Romeo (17) celebrates his goal during Clemson's game against South Carolina on Nov. 10, 2023.

Off the ice: Christian Romeo

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter May 6, 2025

Over the past few years, defenseman Christian Romeo has had a front-row seat to watching the Clemson club ice hockey program develop. In fact, the graduate student noted that watching the growth of the...

Defenseman Conor Peterson (21) skates the puck up the ice during Clemson's game against Charleston on Sept. 23, 2022.

Off the ice: Conor Peterson

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter May 3, 2025

From only “half expecting” to make the team following tryouts his freshman year to being named club president for his final season, defenseman Conor Peterson saw more success as part of the Clemson...

Clemson forward Mike McKeon (29) rifles a shot during the Tigers' game against Ole Miss on Feb. 1.

Off the ice: Mike McKeon

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter May 3, 2025

Playing with his brother early in his college career, collecting program-altering upsets last season and stepping into a leadership role this year were just a few minor highlights in senior forward Mike...

Clemson forward Cade Heinold (9) rifles a shot during the Tigers' game against South Carolina at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Feb. 24, 2024.

Off the ice: Cade Heinold

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter April 24, 2025

In Clemson club ice hockey’s short history, there have been a handful of standout players. But perhaps more than anyone else, the rest of the Tigers know how integral their admired captain, Cade Heinold,...

Buddy's "OK 2 Pet" sign is intended to help get him the maximum number of pets possible.

Best Campus Celebrity: Buddy the dog

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor March 6, 2025

For just the second year in a row, the Clemson community crowned its Best Campus Celebrity — and if you’ve spent any time on campus since his debut in the 2022 fall semester, the result won’t shock...

Conor Brydges (91) warms up during Clemson's game against Georgia Tech in 2022.

Off the ice: Conor Brydges

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor December 5, 2024

The 2023-2024 season was the Clemson hockey team’s most successful to date. The team collected 10 wins in the fall semester — more than it had the entire previous season — and made significant showings...

Brian Blomquist prepares for puck drop during Clemson's game against South Carolina in February at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Off the Ice: Brian Blomquist

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor July 26, 2024

Upon any new student’s arrival to campus, they’re told that one of the most defining features of their college experience will be their “Clemson Family.” This is especially daunting for transfer...

Jack Eggemeyer warms up for a game against Georgia Tech on Oct. 7, 2022.

Off the Ice: Jack Eggemeyer

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor July 25, 2024

Jack “Eggs” Eggemeyer was first introduced to hockey at age four when his family attended a Christmas party hosted by a family who had an outdoor rink. After watching a couple of kids skate around...

Thomas Samuelsen skates onto the ice at Bon Secours Wellness Arena for Clemson's game against South Carolina in February

Off the Ice: Thomas Samuelsen

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor June 19, 2024

The Clemson club ice hockey team concluded a historic season in March, capped off by the program's second-ever AAU National Tournament and first quarterfinal appearance. From setting a record for most...

Ben Brucker during warmups for Clemson's game against South Carolina on Feb. 24.

Off the Ice: Ben Brucker

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor June 1, 2024

The 2023-24 season was nothing short of historic for the Clemson club ice hockey team, and the team knows it would be remiss to think its success would have been possible without the club president: Ben...

Charles DuBose (4) skates the puck out of the defensive zone during Clemson's game against South Carolina on Feb. 24.

Off the Ice: Charles DuBose

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor May 31, 2024

Over the last few seasons, now-senior Charles DuBose has left his mark on the Clemson club hockey program, both on and off the ice. DuBose, a defenseman, was described by his teammates as an integral...

The exterior of Tiger Town Tavern.

Best Bar: Tiger Town Tavern

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor March 7, 2024

Since Tiger Town Tavern’s grand opening in 1977, second-generation owner Cameron Farish has maintained just one goal: give the Clemson community a bar to call its own. “What I want is when someone...

Attending any of the various free sporting events the campus has to offer is a great way to meet new friends.

Tips for students transferring to Clemson

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor January 16, 2024

They tell you that your college years are some of the most important ones of your life. People talk about growth in college — whether it be academic, personal, career or otherwise — but they don’t...

Captain Thomas Samuelsen takes a faceoff during Clemson's game against South Carolina on Nov. 10.

The Palmetto Cup: The rivalry on ice

Kelly Kaelblein, Asst. Sports Editor November 23, 2023

For as long as both can remember, the Clemson and South Carolina club ice hockey teams have battled against each other three times per season, a series which both have deemed the “Palmetto Cup.” The...

Students make their way to class through Core Campus on a beautiful day in Clemson, South Carolina. 

Ten tips for transferring Tigers

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter July 6, 2023

Whether you’re transferring colleges to be closer to home, to take a chance in a new environment or simply seeking a better fit, the general consensus is this: transferring is scary.  As a former...

Nick Chesare skates up the ice during Clemson's game against South Carolina on Jan. 28, 2023.

Off the ice with Nick Chesare

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter May 26, 2023

Following the Clemson club ice hockey team’s historic season, The Tiger reached out to leading scorer Nick Chesare to talk about his experience as a Tiger and his journey to Clemson. Kelly Kaelblein...

John McKeon clears the puck out of the defensive zone during Clemson's game against South Carolina on Jan. 28, 2023.

Off the ice with John McKeon

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter May 25, 2023

Following the impressive season of the Clemson club ice hockey team, The Tiger sat down with senior John McKeon to discuss his journey to Clemson and its club hockey program.Kelly Kaelblein (KK): Where...

Senior Liam Clark (23) celebrates Clemson's win over Middle Tennessee on Jan. 13, 2023.

Off the ice with Liam Clark

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter May 1, 2023

Following Clemson club ice hockey’s standout season, many are wondering who the men behind the face masks are. The Tiger sat down with forward Liam Clark to discuss his love for the sport and journey...

Patrick O'Brien (20) rifles a shot toward Josh Bailey (30) during warmups before Clemson's game against Middle Tennessee on Jan. 13, 2023.

College hockey is growing in the South

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter April 13, 2023

Let’s face it: college hockey is growing in the South, and Clemson is prepared to answer the surge in popularity.  The Clemson club ice hockey team competed in the College Hockey South Division...

Provided by Griffin Sanders

Best Club Sport: Sailing

Kelly Kaelblein, Senior Reporter February 23, 2023

Are you looking to join a fun and inclusive social organization in hopes of finding your Clemson Family? Do you love being out on the water? Look no further than Clemson’s Best Club Sport by vote:...

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