Bruins forward Jeremy Finger has a background in MMA fighting that helps him keep in shape in the offseason. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com

Jeremy Finger really loves hockey.

Two years ago, he packed his bags and moved almost 1,500 miles away from his hometown of Orlando, Florida to play junior hockey for the Austin Bruins.

Finger gave up a lot of sunny days, but he’s not looking back as he looks to play his way on to a college hockey team.

“(Living in Minnesota) is different for sure,” Finger said. “I had to get used to the cold weather, but other than that’s it’s pretty much the same. I don’t really have a lot of off time from hockey, so I don’t mind the weather.”

Finger, a 6-4, 220-pound forward, has established himself as an enforcer for the Bruins as he plays with a physical style.

For those who have seen Finger end up in a scuffle on the ice, it shouldn’t be a surprise that he has a background in Mixed Martial Arts fighting.

Before he left Florida, Finger got together with a few of his friends and started to fight as a hobby.

“My buddy bought a wrestling mat and we fought in his garage over the summer,” Finger said. “I don’t think I ever lost to any of my friends, but I was bigger than a lot of them, so it was kind of easier.”

Finger hopes to pick up MMA fighting again in the near future as he likes the grappling and submission aspect of the sport. But for now, he’s strictly focused on hockey, where he hopes to play at the next level in college.

While it doesn’t hurt to have an MMA background for battles on the ice, Finger said it’s not a huge advantage.

“It’s not really the same,” he said. “Hockey fights and MMA fights are completely different. It’s all about balance in hockey and MMA is more about power and strategy.”

MMA fighting does give Finger a chance to stay in shape in the offseason, while taking a break from the grind the long hockey season.

Hockey isn’t nearly as big in Florida as it is in Minnesota, but Finger picked up the sport through his dad and uncle, who were from Philadelphia and were big Flyers fans.

Before Finger knew it he was playing roller hockey, and by age nine he was on skates.

So far, Finger, who had 12 points last year and 2 so far this season, has only heard from Division III schools, but he’s hoping to play at a higher level.

Since this is the last year he is eligible for junior hockey, he’ll have to leave it all out on the ice.

“I’m trying to work hard and it’s either this year or I’m done. We’ll see how it goes,” Finger said.

The Austin Bruins (8-6-1 overall) will host Alexandria (8-5-1 overall) this Thursday at 7:05 p.m.