File photo/Arizona Daily Wildcat Icecat freshman forward Cole Dunlop wears the same number as his father, Blake, a longtime professional player.

If Icecat forward Cole Dunlop ever needs a reminder as to where he gets that killer instinct out on the ice, he needs to look no further than the number "19" sewn into the back of his jersey. He wears it in honor of his father, Blake, a former NHL journeyman who spent over a decade on hockey's largest stage.

Blake Dunlop might have hung up his skates while his two sons were barely able to walk, but that has not kept hockey sticks out of their hands, let alone his daughters' as well.

Cole, a freshman at UA, and Connor, a senior at Notre Dame, were just 1 and 3 years-old, respectively, when their father retired from the Detroit Red Wings in 1984. But even though they may not remember much, if any, of his time as a player, the influence of Blake's playing career has stayed with them, as all four children have flourished with athletic careers of their own.

Blake, who started his NHL career in 1973 with the Minnesota North Stars, tallied 130 goals and 404 points during his playing days, which also included stints with the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues. He and his wife Nora decided to build on the time they spent in St. Louis, by keeping their family in the "Gateway to the West," making it their permanent home.

Growing up in suburban St. Louis, hockey, in one form or another, has been as much a part of life in the Dunlop household as breathing or eating.

Blake Dunlop former NHL journeyman

With Cole just about to start his first season as an Icecat, the hockey bloodlines continue to run deep, and they don't look to be stopping anytime soon.

"All the kids played all sports while growing up," Blake said. "It wasn't so much that they were pushed into hockey, I think that the hockey influence that I could help them with was the knowledge of the game, and it's nice to see that, if anything, they have all been able to pick that up from me."

Blake's hockey pedigree spreads to each of the children, as Sasha, now 24, was a varsity letter-winner during her college years at Michigan as a member of its women's field hockey team.

Connor, 21, currently in his senior year as a center on the Notre Dame hockey team, is on a full athletic scholarship and is a pre-season All-American candidate, along with being perennially near the top of the Notre Dame scoring charts.

Cole starts his collegiate career tonight when the Icecats host Arizona State at the Tucson Convention, at 7:30 p.m. and Blake will be attendance to see his youngest son play in his first Family Weekend game. However, Nora will be in South Bend, Ind., to see Connor's game, as it's Family Weekend there, as well.

Each one of them pays tribute to their dad's playing days in St. Louis, as Sasha, Connor, and now Cole each chose to wear number "19" on their backs, just as Blake did during his stint with the Blues. The youngest member of the family, 16-year-old Torrie is not to be left out as well, as she seems to be following in her big sister's footsteps, currently playing high school field hockey.

"I don't think, despite my background, that I am a whole lot different than any other parent," said Blake, now a St. Louis branch manager and financial consultant for AG Edwards brokerage firm. "You always like to see your kids perform well, and in this case its sports. Whether they are little or 20 years-old, and the higher up they go, it's definitely more competitive, but it's more fun as well. I think it's a great accomplishment for them, all four of them to be able to play at such high levels."

Despite his father's humility, both Cole and Connor know deep down that what they gain from their father's NHL experience is as invaluable to them as the time out on the ice. They also agree that almost as important as Blake's knowledge of the game is the support of one another by each member of their family.

"My dad coached Cole and I both while we were growing up, and we learn from him both on ice and when we are away from the rink," Connor said. "When you pursue sports at the collegiate level, no matter where you are at, there has to be a guidance and support network throughout the family, and we were lucky to get that from both our parents. Everyone has to make sacrifices to help each other out, and it was natural with our family, and has ultimately made us a lot stronger, too."

Cole notes that he is lucky to be able to use his dad's connections, as former NHL head coach Jimmy Roberts tipped Cole's ability to his longtime friend, Icecats head coach Leo Golembiewski. Golembiewski traveled to the Chicago Showcase, a major junior tournament, and was impressed by what he saw with Cole.

"From a hockey standpoint, Cole is deceptive, has great touch and great hands," Golembiewski said. "He is the kind of kid you build a team around. He's a hard worker, a student of the game, and a good student in the classroom also."

That hard work seemingly also comes from his father. Blake was the recipient of the Bill Masterton trophy in 1981, which is "awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey."

With his thoughts echoed by his new coach, Cole has high hopes for this upcoming season, and is happy about his choice to come to Tucson.

"It was a combination of a lot of things," Cole added. "The success of the program, on top of getting a good education here helped sway my decision. Meeting with (Golembiewski) made it that much easier to decide, plus getting out of the Midwest is a nice change of pace."

The pressure of living up to the expectations and previous achievements set by Connor and Blake do not seem to bet getting in the way of Cole's success, despite having pretty large skates to fill.

"I said to (Cole), ÎI know what your family has done in hockey, but I'm here for Cole Dunlop," Golembiewski said.

His family may be scattered between Michigan, Indiana and Missouri, but lucky for Cole, they are here for him also.