Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles highlighting the state's top seniors, players who declined opportunities to play elsewhere in favor of staying home and playing with their childhood buddies as they try to reach the state tournament.

Boden Sampair was born for this moment.

He personifies Hill-Murray as the team’s captain, leading scorer and Mr. Hockey finalist. 

Yep, he’s that guy, Pioneers coach Bill Lechner said. 

“He’s second-generation here, and he takes that with pride,” Lechner said of Sampair. “He wants to make the family proud, because there’s been generations of Sampairs that have come through Hill. It’s important to him.”

From an early age, as long as he can remember, really, Sampair would watch old state tournament games featuring Hill-Murray on YouTube or VHS, and dream of throwing on his own Pioneers jersey one day.

“Ever since I knew what Hill-Murray was, from watching the tapes my dad showed us, I knew this was the home for me,” he said.

One game he remembers above all is a 1997 state semifinal loss to Edina. A three-overtime heartbreaker as the Hornets stung Hill-Murray on their way to their ninth state championship a night later.

Sampair’s dad, Brandon, later a two-time captain at St. Cloud State, was a force of nature in that game, an elusive No. 22 in green who was always on the puck, and more than occasionally breaking loose. Sampair scored a goal that night but was stuffed on a half dozen scoring chances as both teams traded haymakers. 

“I’ve watched that one over a few times,” Boden said. “I try to learn from what he did, and hopefully not have that happen to us.”

Sampair, a Holy Cross commit, is now living the dream. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

A development path through the juniors was never in the cards for Sampair. Instead, he went to work in the competitive Upper Midwest Elite League, where the “every-night compete” matches his fire, and led the league in assists (26) and finished third in points (37) last fall.

NAHL, USHL? Not yet.

“Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to be at Hill-Murray and experience this tradition,” Sampair said. “Leaving Hill-Murray never crossed my mind. Especially for my senior year, because this is the last time hockey is fun before it becomes a business.”

Sampair has helped lead his team to a 22-2-1 record, a top seed in Section 4AA and the No. 1 spot atop Class 2A in most every end-of-regular ranking poll, including Legacy Hockey’s.

With 30 goals and 66 points (10th most in the state) through 25 games, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound wing is the top offensive producer on a team loaded with them — the Pioneers average nearly six goals per game.

Lechner, who didn’t coach the elder Sampair because he was on a five-year stint as head coach at Stillwater, says Boden exemplifies Hill-Murray on and off the ice. 

“He’s truly an outstanding leader,” Lechner says. “At school, he’s kind to everyone, he’s respectful and he’s been raised right. His parents are firm, but fair you might say. So we get along great because although he might not like what we coaches are telling him, he’ll do it, because he is respectful to authority, and puts the team above himself. That’s contagious to everyone else.

“Aside from that,” he added. “He’s a leader on the ice because he works his butt off and his motor never stops. Bode does it with his voice AND his actions. Some guys can chirp it, he lives it. He backs it up.”

Lechner, in his 27th season at Hill-Murray and 32nd overall, marvels at his all-everything type of player. Some believe, in the highest circles of Class 2A hockey, if you aren’t pushing, shoving and maybe even slashing a bit, working to determine where the line is, then you’re not really trying.

“We need to control that a little bit,” Lechner said with a laugh. “He’ll go right up to the fence and put one toe on it. He’s got an edge to him.”

Nobody bleeds green and wants Hill-Murray to reach the pinnacle of state hockey more than Sampair. 

“I think what makes this place special is the program itself,” Sampair said. “The alumni support is amazing, and the coaches really give it their all. They want everyone to improve, not just some of the top players, and they put in the work with everyone. Not only on the ice but off as well.”

The atmosphere at Aldrich Arena and bus rides across the metro are part of the experience, too. Sampair says he’ll be soaking that in, too, before it’s gone.

“Playing with your buddies in front of your school and your friends, it’s unforgettable,” Sampair said. “All of our alumni, guys who played at higher levels, tell us that these are the times you will remember the rest of your life.”