With the recent opening of Tim Hortons on campus, it seems that one group of student-athletes in particular can always be found inside waiting for their apple fritters or iced cappuccinos: Canadian hockey players.
The reasons why PSUC men's and women's hockey players tend to flock to Tim Hortons is up for debate.
One logical reason is Tim Hortons' huge popularity in Canada. Originally established in 1964, Tim Hortons has amassed over 2,839 restaurants in Canada alone. It is the largest publicly-traded, quick-service restaurant chain in Canada and the fourth largest in North America according to its Web site.
Due to the fact that there are only about 400 restaurants in the United States, with the vast majority of them located in New York, Illinois and Michigan, most Americans don't even know of its existence. However, with its merger with Wendy's International Inc. in 1994, this has slowly changed, as Tim Hortons has expanded in the United States.
With 95 percent of Tim Hortons being franchise owned, most restaurants are operated by individuals who bought into the company.
Look no further than PSUC women's hockey player Laurie Bowler, whose parents own two Tim Hortons in her home province of Ontario. Bowler believes the reason Tim Hortons is so popular among her teammates is the number of healthy choices it offers.
"As athletes we are always on the go, even when we are at home in the off-seasons," Bowler said. "I think grabbing a sandwich or a bagel is a better choice then most of the other fast food restaurants around."
Bowler also cites that Tim Hortons serves as a little taste of home for many of the athletes.
"Everyone in Canada loves their Tim Hortons coffee," Bowler said. "It's nice for us to see something that we enjoy when we are at home."
Another reason for the players' love of Tim Hortons could be the fact that the founder was a player in the National Hockey League. Horton was born in Conchrane, Ontario and signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1949 where he played the majority of his 22-year career.
Hardly a bench-warmer, Horton was a six-time all-star and played on four Stanley Cup-winning teams. He is credited by some to be the inventor of the slap shot, a staple in modern hockey.
Horton died in 1974 in a car accident, just 10 years after opening the first store. His partner at the time, Ron Joyce, bought the remaining shares from Horton's wife and took over the 40 restaurants that were operating at the time of his death.
After Horton's death, Joyce helped set up Tim Hortons Children's Foundation, a nonprofit organization that sets up camps for underprivileged children in towns where there are Tim Hortons. Some might say the reason our neighbors from the north tend to love Tim Hortons so much is simply its quality of food. Tim Hortons' menu features everything from coffee to sandwiches. Credited with creating the first apple fritter and dutchie doughnut, the store's menu has grown as the company has expanded. Currently, it offers an assortment of breakfast and lunch items among other things.
Sophomore PSUC goaltender Bryan Hince said he goes to Tim Hortons almost every day.
Hince is quick to support the new addition to campus.
"Tim Hortons is the best thing since sliced bread," Hince said. "I love that it has finally showed up on campus."
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