Catchin' Up With a 'Cat
The second installment takes a look at former Bobcat Frank Kubas.
There are a lot of sayings out there about holding the future, or the past, in your hands. For Frank Kubas, it’s about holding a hockey stick, a fire hose or a repelling rope in those hands.
Growing up in Euclid, OH, Kubas started lacing up his skates at the age of five. All those years, shots, hits and passes led him to be a center for the Bobcats from 2000-2004.
“My freshman year was a big recruiting class loaded with talent and experience,” Kubas said. “As the years progressed we became better and better.”
That improvement was set to shine in 2003, when Bird Arena hosted the ACHA Tournament. Kubas and the Bobcats found themselves in the finals, on their home ice, playing three-time defending champion Penn State. The Icers were able to make it four in a row.
A year later, Ohio was in the same predicament-facing the Icers for the crown in Ames, IA. This time Kubas and the ‘Cats hoisted the Murdoch Cup. “Hard work, experience, talent, and camaraderie led to our success at the 2004 national championship,” Kubas said. “I was very lucky to be a part of this group.”
Numerous Bobcats earned post-season honors, including Kubas, who was named Tournament MVP. “I am very proud to be a member of such a small group of OU hockey alumni which can call themselves ‘national tournament MVP’s’.”
Kubas says winning the championship and MVP is something he will always remember, but with those credentials comes humbleness. “I owe my linemates (Kurt Miller and Robbie Farmer) a lot of credit as well. They played hard the entire tournament.”
Leaving Bird Arena and Ohio University didn’t spell the end of his playing days. Kubas is now in Chicago, where he still cuts up the ice 2-3 times a week. His team is composed of five former Bobcats. In all, the Windy City houses about 10 former teammates for Kubas. “We usually get together for beers and to watch NHL hockey once a week.”
Kubas keeps in touch with other players around the country as well. “The camaraderie is unmatched. I made friends through OU hockey I will have for the rest of my life.” At his wedding in August, he is expecting about 20 former players to be in attendance.
Away from the ice, Kubas serves as a fire fighter. He also does commercial and industrial rope access work.
As mentioned earlier, Kubas will tie the knot in August with his fiancée, and OU alum, Eileen. The two will be getting married in their hometown of Cleveland, where they grew up and went to the same middle school.
So while Kubas has turned from student-athlete to firefighter, the sport has followed him from school, “OU is a special place to play hockey,” To his current setting, “Chicago is a great hockey town.”
