Montana Tech Hockey Player Feature: Chris Collings
By Merrick Parnell
Chris Collings joins the Montana Technological University (Tech) hockey team from Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada.
Tech’s Head Coach, Dave Rathgeber, met Colligns at a visit to his school, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary. After talking about a revamp of the program and getting college hockey back in Butte for the first time since 2019, Collings was sold and was thrilled to come down to Montana to help get the club off the ground.
On the ice, Collings plays both Forward and Defense—he is described as a defense-first, tough, gritty, and hard-working player.
Collings in a game for Montana Tech
Photo: BnO
“Chris's commitment to Digger Hockey is clear, both on and off the ice. He's willing to step up wherever needed, and he is a role model for our less experienced guys. He's a top asset to our club,” said Rathgeber.
An Ambassador of the Game in China
Collings has played minor hockey since he was four years old and competed on elite summer teams. In recent years, the Albertan got an opportunity to help grow and promote hockey in China as part of a pre-Olympic tournament for the 2022 Bejing Olympic Games.
From Alberta to Montana
Collings has enjoyed living in Butte as he appreciates the friendliness and the accessibility to outdoor activities. The hockey culture has impressed him as well."
“The support is unmatched, and the gameday atmosphere is electric. Butte is a hockey town for sure,” he said.
Looking ahead to college hockey in Butte, Collings hopes to contribute to the program significantly.
“My goals are to continue to help grow the program, provide good play on the ice, and a good presence in the locker room.” He also wants to help find ways to back the team further and serve the community in supporting the community.
Collings in a game for Montana Tech
Photo: BnO
Montana Tech Hockey
For more information on Montana Tech Hockey, check out their social media pages on Facebook: MTechHockey and Instagram @mtechhockey. You can also email them at Diggerhockey@mtech.edu.
