James Lemonias is great with his hands. He is one of the goalies on the Colby Men’s Ice Hockey team, and as his teammate, forward Nick Kondiles ’13 puts it, he brings “an excessive amount of stonewall goaltending to the [Colby hockey] team.” But perhaps what is even more impressive about James is his dedication to his teammates. James spent his first two seasons on the bench, and his last two behind starter Cody McKinney ’11. Most guys would quit after a year or two, but James stuck through it. He says, “I didn’t play a minute my first two years, but just finally getting in last year was awesome.” He has continued to work hard, and has earned his spot on the team. “This year, being relied upon more has really been rewarding. It’s good to finally play some, especially when you put so much time and effort and practice in.” But that doesn’t mean it’s been a cakewalk for him, either. “It was definitely an adjustment from being the go-to guy in high school and then coming here and watching somebody else take the spotlight. I sort of changed my mentality.”
With a little bit of experience on the team, James figured out what it would take to get playing time. “The only way I was going to get in and be relied upon was if I worked hard in practice, got ready, and supported Cody. Sitting on the bench, obviously you want to be in, but I think I’ve learned to just accept my role. And when I’m called upon, I’ll just be ready.”
James speaks very highly of his teammates, and attributes their recent success hard work, dedication, and great team chemistry. “We have a close group of guys, and I think on our team, more so than others, we really think that all twenty-eight guys are the key to winning.” James knows that whether you’re on the first line, or if you don’t even dress for games, every single player has to contribute and want to win in order for a team to be successful. He is confident that Colby’s great hockey program can be attributed to the full commitment of all twenty-eight players.
James’s teammates and friends have a real respect for him. Forward Mike Doherty ’12 puts it simply, “[James] brings good senior leadership and maturity to the team. He likes to keep it loose in the locker room, and have a good time, but he also takes school, hockey, and the Boston Bruins very seriously. In general, he likes to keep it real.”
Aside from hockey, James is also quite a talented guitar player. Growing up, he played many different instruments—the piano, the violin, and the saxophone. But his father always played guitar, and he was James’s real inspiration. Bust James plays a special style of guitar called finger style. He explains it as “instrumental music with specific technical style. Instead of strumming, you pick with your fingers.” For those of you who still don’t understand what finger style guitar is, check out James’s guitar idol Andy McKee playing one of James’s favorite songs—Drifting. Because he loves it so much, James plays the guitar whenever he has free time, and he even sings when no one is around. He has taken lessons at Colby in the past, and he performed with Colby’s Collegium last spring on an old Baroque guitar.
James’s close friend, Colby Men’s Lacrosse captain Craig Bunker ‘11 admires his friend. “James does a great job balancing both academics and athletics, which has produced a great deal of success in the classroom and on the ice. It’s pretty incredible how he manages both. [He] is a great guitar player, and has put on some impressive performances.”
Although he is an Economics major, which he claims to be “pretty standard,” he is also a music minor, something much less common, because he loves music theory. After graduation, James isn’t sure what he’s doing yet, but he’s looking at jobs in the business and economics realm. “Since being a Rockstar and an NHL player didn’t work out, I just want to be happy, and have a varied lifestyle. I don’t want to just be stuck in a routine.”
Since James will be graduating in May, he will leaving behind some great memories, and good advice for those of us who will be continuing on at Colby. First, he’ll leave us with some words of wisdom: “Branch out, and don’t get stuck in the Colby routine, going to the same parties with the same people. Meet new people; go to things you don’t know anything about. Get to open mics, seminars, and talks. Go have beers by Johnson Pond at night (if you’re over 21)! Do things outside, and explore what Maine has to offer. And find a major what you like, because in the long run, it doesn’t really matter.” James’s favorite memories at Colby include playing hockey with his buddies, Dog Head, and the parents’ parties that his team throws.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Colby chapter.