For Rampage alum Pai, commitment to NCAA D-I Air Force ‘will help set me up for life in so many ways’
Nayan Pai is a California native that played three seasons of AAA hockey with the Colorado Rampage.
This season, Pai is playing junior hockey with the BCHL’s Blackfalds Bulldogs, but for the 2026-27 season, will head back to Colorado Springs after he recently committed to NCAA Division I Air Force (Atlantic Hockey America).
“This opportunity started to come at the end of last season when Air Force was out for some of my games with the Rampage,” said Pai, a native of Redwood City, Calif. “We started talking as summer came around and then I attended the Air Force Showcase. After the showcase, I went on a visit and that went really well.
“Air Force has always been a school of interest for me. At first, I was a little bit hesitant with the military side but as I found out more about the academy, it really turned out to be something that I really want to be a part of. Not only is the hockey great, but the school and culture all around is outstanding and will help set me up for life in so many different ways.”
Pai said he won’t be the first in his family in the military as his grandfather served in the U.S. Marines.
“Nayan is a player who skated with us last spring and someone we jumped at to sign immediately,” said Blackfalds head coach Doug Quinn. “He is a great skater who is highly skilled. The speed and the intensity he works at makes him a difficult player to play against.
“Nayan is a great teammate and we are excited to have him. His commitment to Air Force is well deserved.”
Bulldogs director of hockey operations Al Parada also chimed in, saying, “We’re very excited about Nayan’s commitment to Air Force. He has worked hard this summer for his D-I commitment. We are excited for him to be a part of the Bulldogs and continue his hockey journey as we get him prepared for the next level of hockey.”
So far this season with the Bulldogs, Pai is adjusting to the junior hockey game and has his eye on improving daily.
“Now it’s time to keep developing and getting better every day,” Pai said. “It’s definitely less stressful now with having my commitment, but the work never stops. I always want to work harder every day and be the best version of myself that I possibly can. I also want to help my team win a championship in junior hockey.”
Photo/Scott Stimson
— Matt Mackinder
(October 14, 2024)