Get to Know Jake Dunlap
6/24/2024 9:42:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Jake Dunlap first learned to skate around age four when he and his older brother, Joe, would go out on a pond and play pickup hockey. Being from southern New Hampshire, he couldn't go to NHL games as frequently as he would have wanted but grew up as a Boston Bruins fan.
As a Bruins fan, one of Dunlap's favorite players growing up was Tyler Seguin who played for them from 2010-13. His current favorite player on the Bruins is Brad Marchand, the team's captain. He also explained that he currently tries to model his game after Marchand, who he described as 'a smaller forward who plays fast and physical.'
In middle and high school, Dunlap participated in many other sports as well as hockey, including football, lacrosse and tennis. He played football until he began high school, lacrosse until his sophomore year and tennis until his junior year. Dunlap shared that, surprisingly, hockey was not his favorite sport growing up and he enjoyed football and lacrosse more. He ended up deciding to play hockey because of his potential and skill at the game, but now loves the sport even more than he did the others.
In his teenage years, Dunlap moved around the country to play hockey at a more elite level. When he was around 14, he began playing for the Northern Cyclones in New Hampshire for one year and then played for the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs for another season. After his freshman year of high school, Dunlap went to prep school and he played at New Hampton through his junior year.
For juniors, Dunlap began in Wisconsin, playing for the Janesville Jets in the NAHL. During his first year with the Jets, he was called up to play for the Fargo Force in North Dakota and finished out the season in the USHL. He began his next season playing for the Force but moved back to the east coast mid-season to play for the Northeast Generals in the NAHL, where he played the rest of the season. For his last season in juniors, Dunlap moved back to Wisconsin to play for the Madison Capitals in the USHL before going to the University of New Hampshire for his freshman year of college. After his first year at UNH, he entered the transfer portal and came to Ohio State.
Dunlap explained that moving around as a teenager so frequently to play hockey was a challenge. He began living on his own when he was 14 years old at boarding school. Although it was a challenge, Dunlap said, "It helped me mature and it definitely benefited me in the long run."
Though Dunlap enjoyed his first season playing college hockey at UNH, he said he felt a little bit too comfortable being so close to home.
"I feel like I play my best hockey when I'm out of my comfort zone and away from home to limit distractions,." he said
He chose to come to Ohio State partly because of his older brother being part of the hockey team, but for other reasons as well. He said the overall atmosphere and campus at Ohio State ultimately drew him in.
Dunlap is majoring in communications. He shared it is a little overwhelming to have to focus on both hockey and school, but it is manageable.
He said, "It's not easy, but I just have to manage my time well and stay on top of my schoolwork."
During the offseason, Dunlap enjoys going fishing with his father, brother and some of his father's friends. He also likes to play pickleball, which he began playing with some friends at home. Dunlap also has a dog named Velo at school, who he likes to talk on walks around campus, and two cats back at home, Bucky and Otis.
Dunlap is not only a hockey player, but a typical college student who enjoys spending time with family and friends. It has been special for him to play alongside his brother and he can't wait to see what the rest of his time at Ohio State holds.
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As a Bruins fan, one of Dunlap's favorite players growing up was Tyler Seguin who played for them from 2010-13. His current favorite player on the Bruins is Brad Marchand, the team's captain. He also explained that he currently tries to model his game after Marchand, who he described as 'a smaller forward who plays fast and physical.'
In middle and high school, Dunlap participated in many other sports as well as hockey, including football, lacrosse and tennis. He played football until he began high school, lacrosse until his sophomore year and tennis until his junior year. Dunlap shared that, surprisingly, hockey was not his favorite sport growing up and he enjoyed football and lacrosse more. He ended up deciding to play hockey because of his potential and skill at the game, but now loves the sport even more than he did the others.
In his teenage years, Dunlap moved around the country to play hockey at a more elite level. When he was around 14, he began playing for the Northern Cyclones in New Hampshire for one year and then played for the New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs for another season. After his freshman year of high school, Dunlap went to prep school and he played at New Hampton through his junior year.
For juniors, Dunlap began in Wisconsin, playing for the Janesville Jets in the NAHL. During his first year with the Jets, he was called up to play for the Fargo Force in North Dakota and finished out the season in the USHL. He began his next season playing for the Force but moved back to the east coast mid-season to play for the Northeast Generals in the NAHL, where he played the rest of the season. For his last season in juniors, Dunlap moved back to Wisconsin to play for the Madison Capitals in the USHL before going to the University of New Hampshire for his freshman year of college. After his first year at UNH, he entered the transfer portal and came to Ohio State.
Dunlap explained that moving around as a teenager so frequently to play hockey was a challenge. He began living on his own when he was 14 years old at boarding school. Although it was a challenge, Dunlap said, "It helped me mature and it definitely benefited me in the long run."
Though Dunlap enjoyed his first season playing college hockey at UNH, he said he felt a little bit too comfortable being so close to home.
"I feel like I play my best hockey when I'm out of my comfort zone and away from home to limit distractions,." he said
He chose to come to Ohio State partly because of his older brother being part of the hockey team, but for other reasons as well. He said the overall atmosphere and campus at Ohio State ultimately drew him in.
Dunlap is majoring in communications. He shared it is a little overwhelming to have to focus on both hockey and school, but it is manageable.
He said, "It's not easy, but I just have to manage my time well and stay on top of my schoolwork."
During the offseason, Dunlap enjoys going fishing with his father, brother and some of his father's friends. He also likes to play pickleball, which he began playing with some friends at home. Dunlap also has a dog named Velo at school, who he likes to talk on walks around campus, and two cats back at home, Bucky and Otis.
Dunlap is not only a hockey player, but a typical college student who enjoys spending time with family and friends. It has been special for him to play alongside his brother and he can't wait to see what the rest of his time at Ohio State holds.
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Players Mentioned
Forward
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