Ike Hits the Ice

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

10.20.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Grant Wamack 

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)   

Many Sailors aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) change out of uniform at the end of the work day and head home. Another group of Sailors enter an ice rink with practiced fluidity, donning black and gold jerseys with “IKE” spelled out prominently. A key component of Ike’s hockey team, Personnel Specialist (PS) 2nd Class Travis Cabe, becomes noticeably more animated and shifts into a focused mind set, zeroing in on the game ahead.
During the normal work day, Cabe can be found behind his desk in the Personnel office, helping a number of Sailors with their administrative concerns. He serves as the receipts section leading petty officer, but not many people know that this same diligence and professionalism carries over to his passion—ice hockey.
“PS2 Cabe excels on the ice, mimicking his work ethic in the Personnel office,” said Personnel Specialist 1st Class William Jae, Cabe’s supervisor. “Just as he is Ike's team captain, his leadership as receipts leading petty officer also shines through. His forethought and implementation of forming strategies to complete work daily has a direct impact on junior Sailors and peers. He participates in quarters each day just as he takes a face off during a game, fast and fierce. He directs the action to his teammates so all tasks can be completed effectively and efficiently.”
A Virginia Beach, Virginia, native, Cabe has been playing hockey since he was six years old. He first got his start in the contact sport after watching a local game of the Norfolk Admirals.
“I used to watch hockey on TV all the time. My dad and I eventually went to an Admirals game,” Cabe said. “A local youth hockey team scrimmaged each other in between one of the periods. Little five-year-old me said ‘Dad, I want to do that!’ I started the next fall. A couple of years later, I was on that same rink playing in between periods.”
Ike’s team is comprised of 15-20 players on any given game night, most of whom are in their early 20’s. Cabe has about 25 years of experience, and being one of the older players he brings this breadth of knowledge to his position on the team as a wing forward.
“It’s a major adrenaline rush,” said Cabe. “I love hockey. It’s my absolute favorite sport. Just my natural competiveness keeps me motivated. It’s a good way to do something I love and remain competitive. I can play any day, anytime, anywhere.”
Sailors would be surprised to learn Cabe stopped playing hockey for nearly 10 years after leaving high school. He didn’t pick it back up until he was about 27, but was able to ease back into the sport.
“I took about a 10-year break from playing and it took me a little while to get my feet back underneath me,” said Cabe. “I can’t keep up as much as I used to, but I can definitely hold my own. We want to win, but the ultimate goal for me is getting out there and having fun.”
Even though hockey is a lot of fun for Cabe, he still recognizes that the sport takes a lot of hard work and dedication when it comes to keeping his skills sharp. He said it takes a lot of cardio to be out on the ice for prolonged periods of time, but he uses his legs to his benefit.
“My greatest strength is my speed,” he said. “I’m a smaller guy, so I use my speed to get around people. We’re not a full-check league, but it’s still a contact sport. Using my speed to avoid that contact is my biggest asset. My biggest challenge is my size. I’m a smaller guy and I’m not as strong as most, so I have to be crafty.”
Ike’s players come from diverse backgrounds, but all of them share a keen sense of comradery and pride whenever they lace up their skates.
“Everyone who gets out there genuinely loves to play hockey,” said Cabe. “Sometimes tempers flare and there are times people’s desire to win versus love of actually playing is in conflict. I think we balance it really well, though. We all still want to have fun and play to win.”
Cabe plans to continue playing hockey as long as he lives. He emanates this same spirit every time he skates and he plans to stay committed to the team until he transfers to a new command.
“I just like to be able to get out there and represent the command,” said Cabe. “It’s fun. Ike means a lot to me. Getting out there and wearing that Ike jersey is special to me.”
Ike’s team is scheduled to face-off against the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) hockey team at the Scope arena in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, on Nov. 16 at 3:00 p.m.

• Date Taken: 10.20.2017
• Date Posted: 01.31.2018 16:03
• Story ID: 264154
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US