Steinbach's Darby Gula has known nothing except the comforts of Southern Manitoba but that will all change when the 20-year-old packs up and moves to Bemidji, Minnesota for his freshman year with the Bemidji State Beavers hockey team.

Gula is looking forward to a new challenge but admits, there are some nerves when it comes to leaving home for the first time. "Balancing school and hockey in a new place, there are lots of things to think about, lots to be nervous about but it all comes full circle so I'm trying to enjoy it all."

The last couple of seasons, Gula has known where his stall was in the locker room, which teammates he'd be playing with and of course, being able to live at home, he knew the billet situation but now he's moving down south, he admits the living situation may be the toughest to adjust too. "It's going to be a little bit weird. I don't know if there's any way to prepare for it really. I don't know how the whole set-up is going to be, the sleeping situation, rooming situation, even eating. Finding meals every day will be a different process, I won't have my mom to make them for me, so I'm kind of nervous but also very excited, it's part of the fun."

It's all very new and it's all coming very quickly but for the MJHL's Top Defenceman, he's taking it all one step at a time. "Most of it's preparing for a change. On the hockey side, playing in Steinbach, I would get a lot of ice time and a lot of games a season, but in college, the season is shorter and you really have to battle for the ice time. I'm just preparing mentally so I don't get too shook up by it but I'm feeling I'm ready."

While it's away from home, part of the allure of Bemidji is that it felt a lot like Gula's hometown of Steinbach. "Going down there and seeing the city, one of the first things I thought was how similar it was to Steinbach in size and even in culture. It was a reason why I was so comfortable and it's why I think it will work out well for me."

Moving away for the first time isn't just hard on the stud defender but it has been hard on his parent's as well. "I can't imagine how they're feeling," Gula said with a little bit of a chuckle. "My sister moved out so I'm their last kid. I think they may be a bit shook by it, but they knew I'd go eventually and they'll be okay. I'm close, they'll make it down there."

Gula wanted to make sure this was a special summer for him and the people he's close to. "I'll miss the people for sure. Every weekend I've been out and about, seeing my friends and soaking in those last moments before I go off to school and buddy's start working. Those moments are important but you have to balance family too. It's usually family during the week and friends on the weekend."

A season which saw Gula claim a Turnbull Cup and an ANAVET Cup will always hold special memories in his heart but his entire Pistons career won't soon be forgotten. "We made a lot of strides in the three years I was here. We did a lot of winning. We won those championships. I was so happy to win in my last year. Some guys don't get any so it was very special. I'm proud of what we did."

Gula will take the next step in his hockey career and will take everything Steinbach has given him with him. "It's been a long ride for me and I've enjoyed every minute of it, but it's time to move on. It's sad but fun at the same time. I'm happy."