Bentley University

There weren't too many players as versatile and determined during their four-year career as Mike Sokolski. During Mike's career, the Fal-cons moved from club status to the varsity level. In addition, after starring as a forward for three years, Mike also had to make the transition to defense for his final year.
 
"When we moved up to the varsity level, there was really no difference in the quality of hockey because we still played the same teams, but we earned more respect because people never took us seriously as a club team," said Mike. "Sometimes people would ask me if you wore equipment at the club level and I would just laugh. They just didn't realize that hockey is competitive at all levels."
 
As a senior, Mike was elected assistant captain and contributed immensely, scoring six goals and 10 assists for 16 points as a defenseman in Bentley's first varsity season. Mike was the Most Valuable Player on a Falcon team that finished 10-9 overall, including 9-7 against ECAC Division Ill competition.
 
In Bentley's final season of club status, the Falcons posted an impressive 17-2 record, breaking a school record for most wins in a season and most consecutive wins with 11. As a junior, Mike enjoyed his most productive year as Bentley's sixth leading scorer with 18 goals and 12 assists, earning co-Most Improved Player accolades.
 
It didn't take Mike long to adjust to the collegiate level. He had a promising freshman year, with five goals and 1O assists for 15 points during a 1 0-5-1 campaign. Mike's strong play continued into his second season. In the 1975-76 season, Mike became even more of a force, lighting the lamp 10 times and assisting on 11 scores as Bentley posted a 13-2 record.
 
By the time Mike's career ended in 1978, he had played on teams that posted an impressive 50-18-1 record and had accumulated 39 goals and 43 assists for 82 points.
 
Mike was fortunate to play a year at the varsity level. "Throughout my first three years at Bentley, I played with the same nucleus of guys who helped bring Bentley to the varsity level," said Mike. "A lot of the guys weren't as fortunate as me because they graduated the year before Bentley jumped up a level. They deserved to be a part of it more than anyone, but like I said there really wasn't a significant difference."
 
"Bentley hockey was a great experience for me and I wouldn't trade it for anything because friendships were formed that will last a lifetime."