Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Admirals Goalie Tom McCollum

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Admirals goalie Tom McCollum made a big difference both on and off the ice last season. 

McCollum is 6'5" in skates. With pads and a goalie mask, he's pretty intimidating. 

This past season was McCollum's first playing for the Admirals. 

After home games, McCollum can be found barefoot in the locker room with some special guests. 

"A lot of times they're shy at first, but as you get to talking to them, especially when they get to play with the gear, they open up a bit and talk more," McCollum said. 

He spent the season buying tickets to games for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Cops and Kids Foundation. He's introducing a new generation of kids to the game, one goalie mask at a time. 

"I've had kids try to explain to me what a goalie is and they're talking about something in basketball," McCollum says. 

Many of the kids have never seen a hockey game, let alone met a player. 

"A lot of the kids missing a role model in their life, look up to athletes," says Bob Kraemer.  

Bob Kraemer is president of Cops and Kids. 

"What I really like about it is he takes the time to ask how you're doing in school. He gets a little bit more personal and I think that's what makes it special with him," Kraemer said. 

Giving back is something McCollum has been quietly doing for eight seasons, throughout his pro career - a lesson passed along by his parents. 

"They instilled in me that it doesn't matter what you do with your life. The most important thing is just be a good person," says McCollum.  

You won't hear him talk about it much, but the team player will be leading by example. 

"To them he's, it's like a superstar, that's stepped out of this big gladiator outfit and here he is in the locker room ten minutes later and he's just a normal person and I think that's what they really enjoy," 

If you'd like to suggest someone for our Everday Heroes segment, email [email protected] or send Natalie a message on her Facebook page. 

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