University of St. Thomas Athletics
Photo by: Collin Boyles
Tommies sign Klaus Friederich in partnership with Team IMPACT
4/18/2024 12:18:00 PM | Men's Hockey
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The St. Thomas Men's Hockey team is excited to announce its newest Tommie, Klaus Friederich from Golden Valley, Minnesota. Partnering with Team IMPACT, Klaus joined the Tommies before the beginning of last season before signing to become an official member of the St. Thomas Athletics family today.
Klaus is a lifelong avid hockey fan and actively plays the sport through the Minnesota Wild and the Hendrickson Foundation. A 17-year-old from Golden Valley, he has been battling Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT) also known as Louis-Bar syndrome since birth and has lived his entire life with an infectiously positive personality and free spirit. He fits perfectly within the team culture with his determination, humor, and courage.
Since joining the men's hockey team in October of 2023, Klaus has been in the building for the Tommies toppling of St. Cloud State, seen countless home games at Saint Thomas Ice Arena, and participated in practice during the second half of last season.
"Klaus has already been with us one season and the impact he made on our team culture is sizeable, we are pleased to make this official today for next season," St. Thomas head coach Rico Blasi said of Klaus and the impact he has on the team.
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 60,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
Klaus is a lifelong avid hockey fan and actively plays the sport through the Minnesota Wild and the Hendrickson Foundation. A 17-year-old from Golden Valley, he has been battling Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT) also known as Louis-Bar syndrome since birth and has lived his entire life with an infectiously positive personality and free spirit. He fits perfectly within the team culture with his determination, humor, and courage.
Since joining the men's hockey team in October of 2023, Klaus has been in the building for the Tommies toppling of St. Cloud State, seen countless home games at Saint Thomas Ice Arena, and participated in practice during the second half of last season.
"Klaus has already been with us one season and the impact he made on our team culture is sizeable, we are pleased to make this official today for next season," St. Thomas head coach Rico Blasi said of Klaus and the impact he has on the team.
Team IMPACT's unique multiyear program signs children facing serious illness and disability onto college athletic teams across the country. Based on a clinical model, Team IMPACT guides a symbiotic relationship between teams and children focused on socialization, empowerment, and resilience, ensuring everyone involved has the personalized game plan they need to win – effectively building confidence and independence. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched more than 2,300 children with 700+ colleges and universities in 49 states, impacting more than 60,000 student-athletes. If you know a child or team who may be interested, please visit www.teamimpact.org.
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