Michigan Warriors’ Weekend Set with St. Louis Bandits Holds Special Meaning for Warriors Goalie Trevor Gorsuch

Trevor Gorsuch often dreamt of going back to St. Louis to play in front of his hometown crowd, family and friends. A native of St. Charles, Mo., just minutes away from St. Louis, the newly-acquired Michigan Warriors goaltender ran the scenario through his mind on more than one occasion—and Friday and Saturday, he'll get that chance as the Warriors (16-22-5) travel to the Gateway of the West to take on the Bandits (26-11-2).

"I think it's going to be a fun experience," said Gorsuch, who grew up a fan of the NHL's St. Louis Blues and former Blues stars Brett Hull and Curtis Joseph. "It's the first time I actually get to go home and play against a team in my hometown. It's going to be fun to have a lot of family and friends there."

The Warriors are fresh off a two-loss weekend against the Springfield Jr. Blues, who play in Illinois, about 30 minutes from where Gorsuch was raised. While this past weekend's trip was a little closer to home and still a thrill, actually playing in St. Louis means a lot more to Gorsuch.

"Being home in St. Louis is going to be a fun experience," he repeated. "It's going to be cool, being that close."

Gorsuch (1-3-1) debuted with Warriors earlier in January after spending time with Tri-Cities of the USHL. While he's adapting to a new league, coaching staff and way of operation, he insists he'll be ready to play—should he be called upon—this weekend in St. Louis.

No extra butterflies, nervousness or otherwise, he says.

"I don't really think I'll feel added pressure," Gorsuch said. "I think it'll be more of a good feeling of having people there that I know really supporting me. I know I have the support of fans here, but it's just going to be a good feeling having people there that I know and love."

The Bandits call the former St. Louis Blues training facility home, Hardees' Olympic, which has three rinks, including a collegiate- and Olympic-sized surface. For some, playing on a larger surface could present a challenge. However, Gorsuch grew up playing Triple-A hockey at the arena and he's confident he'll be comfortable with the familiar surroundings.

As any competitor would, Gorsuch is just waiting for his chance to show what he's made of.

"I have dreamed up that scenario," Gorsuch said of going home. "When I was a kid, I dreamed of playing in the NHL—I still have that dream. I had that dream, that feeling, of coming home and playing against the Blues, or playing for one of the USHL teams that are near St. Louis… I always (wanted to know) that feeling of what it would be like to play in front of a home crowd on a different team."

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Adam Biggers handles social media for the Michigan Warriors, a North American Hockey League franchise based in Flint, Mich. Follow the Warriors on Twitter @NAHLWarriors.

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