TJ Semptimphelters cross-country journey to North Dakota [Video]

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Like most hockey players, TJ Semptimphelter’s love for the game started with Learn to Skate lessons, and early on, he found out the crease was his home.

“I would go and sit in the crease, and I would tug on the instructor’s pants and say ‘Hey, can you let me put the pads on? I don’t want to skate around in circles. I want to go in the crease and move around,’” Semptimphelter said. “I think, ever since then, I just had a love for the position.

“It’s been a perfect marriage ever since, and I’m glad I made that decision.”

Semptimphelter is playing his final season of college hockey at North Dakota, but his journey to Grand Forks is a unique, cross-country venture.

His college hockey career began at Northeastern in the 2021-22 season, where he backed up Devon Levi, who is …