stempniak lived near an ice hockey rink where he knew the owner would let him practice whenever he could. after high school, he wanted to continue to play hockey, but his parents wanted him to go to college. stempniak went to the only college that showed interest in him, dartmouth. at dartmouth, he majored in economics. he became a top player for the big green ice hockey team and was named a two-time all american, as well as his team's captain.