Orono, Maine -- Getting a chance to skate on the ice in the Alfond in front of a packed crowd is something not many people get to experience but it's something Tanner House does not take for granted.

House graduated from UMaine in 2011, was a student athlete on the ice hockey team, and certainly left his mark on the school. He was on the Hockey East Academic All-Star Team in 2008,  was a two year captain of the hockey team, and was presented with the 'M Club' Dean Smith Award which highlights a senior athlete who managed to excel both in the classroom and in their sport.

From UMaine, House went on to play professional ice hockey with the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club. He then got married and moved back to Canada to put his degree to use and got a job now working in equipment finance. House always saw himself sticking with finance as he's always been a numbers and problem solving type of guy. The job he managed to get turned out to be what House needed as he got to still use his people skills and communication combined with what he learned from his degree.

"I always tell people it's the perfect combination of playing hockey and using my finance degree because I'm so used to relationship building and talking to people."

Coming from Canada, House is honored that he had the opportunity to come to college in the states. Choosing UMaine was easy because it had everything House needed. Hockey was such a big passion that he was thrilled to find a school that adored hockey and had fans that would line up outside hours before just to get tickets. House explained just exactly how he knew UMaine was the right choice for him.

"The good business program and the hockey history is what drove me out there."

There is so much of course that House misses about playing games in the Alfond. There is nothing else that can compare to the feeling of getting out there on the ice and competing in front of the roaring fans. House talked about some of his favorite memories from being on the team.

"We were such a tight group and you spend so much time with everybody. It is such a unique atmosphere and opportunity to do that. Going to school on a Friday and already seeing the student section line up for a game was always a good feeling."

Being a student athlete is something that helped set House up for the life he has today. With being as decorated as House, it proves that he found ways to balance his academic life with his athletics in order to become well rounded. He explained that of course it was never easy but he was always able to learn and adapt. There are infinite life skills House was able to learn just by being a student athlete at the University of Maine.

"It was a constant juggling act, which I still do now with work and having a couple kids trying to make sure you have time for everything. I still also have that competitive drive to be the best."

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The 'M' Club Dean Smith award is the most prestigious award presented annually to the top male and female student-athletes at the University of Maine. To be considered for this award, athletes are nominated by their coaches and must have demonstrated outstanding academic and athletic achievement, be of outstanding character and a contributor and leader within their community.

Since 102 University of Maine varsity letter winners gathered for the first meeting of the Graduate M Club in 1932, more than 13,000 recipients of the coveted "M" have joined the club. In the ensuing nine decades, each year hundreds of "M" winners pay their dues to become active members of the M Club and to help support current Black Bears.

For questions or to get involved in M Club activities, please contact Ashley Twombly '10, '12G, the Alumni Association liaison with the M Club, at (207) 581-1144.