Zach Mirageas remembers having to make one of the biggest decisions of his life.
The Newburyport, Mass., native was touring the Air Force Academy in Colorado after a successful season in the United State Hockey League. Mirageas had a few offers from Division 1 schools in the Northeast, but after checking out Air Force, the 5-foot-9 blueliner knew the academy would set up the best opportunities for him after his hockey career.
"Being an undersized defenseman, the chances of going to a high-level pro league are pretty slim," Mirageas said. "I had to put my man boots on and make an adult decision."
