A glimpse inside the world of a Team USA hockey player in Ann Arbor

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Posted on Wed, Mar 27, 2013 : 5:21 a.m.

A glimpse inside the world of a Team USA hockey player in Ann Arbor

By Joseph Tobianski

Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com

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Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_04_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini controls the puck during a practice at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on Dec. 13, 2012. "The team is just the best in the country at developing players. I have seen the success that a lot of good players had coming out of here, so it was kind of a no-brainer for me to come out here and play." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_03_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini, center, laces up his skates before a game December 12, 2012 at the Ann Arbor ice Cube. "The team is just the best in the country at developing players. I have seen the success that a lot of good players had coming out of here, so it was kind of a no-brainer for me to come out here and play," Sanitni said. Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_02_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini charges onto the ice at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube before a game on Dec. 18, 2013. "The team is just the best in the country at developing players. I have seen the success that a lot of good players had coming out of here, so it was kind of a no-brainer for me to come out here and play." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_05_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini smiles at his teammate coming off the ice during a league game at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on December 18, 2012. "We really form a bond with your teammates. We are almost brothers at this point being together for two years." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_20_fullsize.JPG
Steven Sanitni eats dinner with his host family and talks with host sister Autumn, 9, right, at the Bullinger house in Ann Arbor on December 19, 2012. "Family can be defined in so many way. They become a part of your daily life," host mom Jodi Bullinger said. Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_08_fullsize.JPG
Steven studies in his room at the Bullinger house on December 19, 2012. "Although they are very serious about school work and our attendance and keeping up our grades, but the end of the day I want to be a hockey player and that's very important to me," said Santini. Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_09_fullsize.JPG
Steven Sanitni plays video games with host sister Autumn, 9, right, at the Bullinger house in Ann Arbor on December 19, 2012. "He is a really solid human being. He has been a fantastic role model and he adds an awesome energy to our household," host mom Jodi Bullinger said. Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_10_fullsize.JPG
USA NTDP U-18's Steven Santini listens to player announcements during an exhibition game against Michigan at Yost Ice Arena Jan. 4, 2013. The program defeated Michigan for the first time in history, 4 to 1. Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_01_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini enters the ice at Yost Ice Arena before the start of an exhibition game against Michigan on Jan. 4, 2013. With his father playing for the Univeristy of Maine and owning and ice rink Steven Santini said, "it was pretty obvious at a young age I was going to be a hockey player." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_21_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini serves a penalty during an exhibition game against Michigan at Yost Ice Arena on Jan. 4, 2013. The program defeated Michigan for the first time in history, 4 to 1. Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_06_fullsize.JPG
USA NTDP U-18's Steven Santini, left, defends, Michigan's Kevin Lynch, right, during an exhibition game at Yost Ice Arena Jan. 4, 2013. "The team is just the best in the country at developing players. I have seen the success that a lot of good players had coming out of here, so it was kind of a no-brainer for me to come out here and play." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_11_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini along with his teammates laugh and joke during his birthday at Max and Erma's in Ann Arbor on March 7, 2013. "We really form a bond with your teammates. We are almost brothers at this point being together for two years." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_15_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini chats with his mother, who is back in Mahopac, NY, on his birthday March 7, 2013 at his host family's house. It's just weird being away from my parents and being at a new school is kind of a tough transition, but my family supported me and it made it a lot easier." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_07_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini talks to his teammates during lunch on March 13, 2013 at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. "We really form a bond with your teammates. We are almost brothers at this point being together for two years." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_16_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini walks to class along side his teammates at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School on March 13, 2013. "We really form a bond with your teammates. We are almost brothers at this point being together for two years." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_17_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini, right, talks to his classmates during his philosophy class at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School on March 12, 2013. The NTDP has the highest GPA in their program's history with a 3.54 average. Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_18_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini sits in his philosophy class at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School on March 13, 2013. "Although they are very serious about school work and our attendance and keeping up our grades, but the end of the day I want to be a hockey player and that's very important to me." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_19_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini lifts weights during a workout in the NTDP facility at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on March 13, 2013. "He has the great foundation of work ethic and competitiveness. He is a guy who should have a good long career in this business," said to NTDP U-18 coach Don Granato. Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_12_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini takes a break during his workout to talk to his teammates during a weight lifting session on March 13, 2013 at the NTDP facility at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. "The team is just the best in the country at developing players. I have seen the success that a lot of good players had coming out of here, so it was kind of a no-brainer for me to come out here and play." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_13_fullsize.JPG
Steven Santini talks to his teammate Scott Savge, right, as Savage lifts weights during a work out on March 13, 2013 at the NTDP facility in the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. "We really form a bond with your teammates. We are almost brothers at this point being together for two years." Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com /calendar/photologue/photos/The Solid Web/cache/StevenSantiniStoryFinal_JT_14_fullsize.JPG

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Related: PHOTO SLIDESHOW: Team USA NTDP hockey player Steven Santini balances family, school while chasing dream

Steven Santini doens't live the life of a normal teenager. Santini moved from the small town of Mahopac, N.Y. to Ann Arbor to train with the United States National Team Development Prograp two years ago and hopes to one day play in the NHL. Between practice, games, studying and school, there isn't much time to spare, but as can be seen from the photos above, Santini still makes time for his host family.

Joseph Tobianski is a freelance photograper or AnnArbor.com.Corte y a