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Alex Tracy's hockey journey didn't begin with grand ambitions or early stardom. It started simply—with a pair of skates at age seven and a growing fascination that would soon lead him into the crease. "I first got into the sport of hockey at the age of seven. That is when I started skating and then a few years later is when I became a goalie," Tracy said.
 
Since then, the Minnesota State men's hockey athlete has built a career defined by steady growth, humility, and purpose. His path has been shaped as much by the people around him as by his own determination, and he carries a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities he's earned.
 
"My motivation for playing at a high level in my sport is just gratitude and not taking anything for granted," Tracy said. "It is truly a blessing to be able to play this sport at this university with these teammates and to be able to play as long as I have, and so every single day I just want to make sure that I'm being faithful to that and doing the best I can."
 
A Family Foundation
 
Tracy's work ethic and mindset were forged at home. He credits his parents—especially his father—for setting the standard he tries to meet every day. "My dad has been the biggest influence and role model in my career," he said. "From the very beginning he showed me what it meant to work hard and he has sacrificed so much to be able to get me where I'm at today. All the time, energy, and effort that both him and my mom have put in to be able to help me get where I'm at today is something I'm very grateful for."
 
That example of selflessness and commitment continues to guide Tracy as he navigates the rigors of college hockey. It also fuels his desire to give back—to use his experiences to help others the way his parents helped him.
 
Faith and Balance
 
Off the ice, faith is central to Tracy's life. He describes his free time as an opportunity to recharge spiritually and connect with others. "In my free time I like to spend time with Jesus. I like to read the Bible. I like to pray. I like to hang out with friends, spend time in fellowship with other believers," he said. "I like to play pickleball. I like to play golf. I love playing cards. I like watching sports. I like listening to music and I like watching TV."
 
His involvement extends beyond personal practice. Tracy is active in several community and faith-based organizations. "I am not involved in any clubs within athletics, but outside of athletics I am involved in SAAC, which is the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. I am involved in AWANA, which is a volunteer program at my church, River Ridge in North Mankato. I am involved in Team Second, which is a college athlete ministry section of a nonprofit ministry organization called I Am Second," he said.
 
Learning From the Game
 
As a goalie, Tracy studies the sport closely—drawing inspiration from a range of professionals rather than modeling his game after a single player. "There isn't just one specific player that I model my game after but I do enjoy watching pro hockey and watching a bunch of different goalies and being able to take little things from many different players' games to be able to implement into my own game and just to try new things out," he said.
 
That willingness to learn and adapt is part of what makes him effective in net. It's also a mindset he hopes to carry into his future beyond playing.
 
A Passion to Give Back
 
For Tracy, hockey isn't just a platform for personal achievement—it's a way to serve others. He already knows how he wants to stay connected to the sport once his playing days are over. "Something I want people to know about me that they probably don't already know is that I have a huge passion for coaching," he said. "And when I'm done playing and I'm retired, I want to give back to the game that gave so much to me in that way by helping younger athletes and their journeys and their careers. And I just find so much joy in helping people in that way."
 
It's a fitting next step for someone whose career has been built on gratitude, faith, and the desire to lift others up—one save, one lesson, and one act of service at a time.