BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — As you walk through the halls of the Slater Family Ice Arena, you’re reminded about the history of the Bowling Green State University hockey program at every turn.
Two of the best to ever do it in the orange and brown are Rob Blake and Nelson Emerson, with both being in the BGSU hall of fame.
They played together on the ice and both went on to have incredibly successful careers in the NHL.
Now, their sons are both playing at Bowling Green. Jack Blake and Quinn Emerson are both freshman this year and these two will be linked together forever.
"I've known him my whole life, he's my best friend growing up," said Blake. "He lives about five minutes from me in my hometown so I see him every day, and of course we're roommates here too so I can't get away from him. I love him a lot so he's like a brother to me."
"We're best friends. We hang out every day in the summer, we skate, we workout together, we even work together in the summer too," said Emerson. "Everything we do, it's usually together. We've been best friends and we even live together here so we'll continue to do that and have fun and make memories."
In the halls of the old ice arena, the Emerson and Blake name are found at every turn. Now, their sons are trying to carve out their own path with the Falcons.
"I think I've got to be true to myself, honestly. I know that the name's always going to be there, it's going to come with me," said Blake. "Just do the little things every day and keep working hard and one day it will just happen and let my name speak for itself."
"I always came to this place when I was a young kid and it's a really special place," said Emerson. "My dad always tells me about it and all the memories he got. Obviously, having a name like that, a little pressure, but I try not to deal with that and I just try play my own game."
"They came with no guarantees. They understood where they fit. Both the boys and their dads understand what the boys are as players and they understand too that it's their deal," said Bowling Green head coach Ty Eigner. "They're going to make of it what they do and it's not about Rob or Nelson, it's about Jack and Quinn. Everybody's on the same page that way and it's real fun to see a kid see the opportunity and take advantage of it."