By Frank Rajkowski, SJU Writer/Video Producer

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - For Mason Campbell and Jackson Sabo, the Saint John's University hockey team's non-conference matchup against Lawrence (Wis.) Saturday night represents not just a homecoming, but a chance to make a real impact on the community in which they grew up.
 
The Johnnies take on the Vikings at 7:30 p.m. at the Rosemount Ice Arena. It's the last of a slate of five games – the first four feature the Rosemount and Lakeville North girls and boys junior varsity and varsity teams squaring off.
 
All proceeds raised that day will go to support a seventh-grader in the Rosemount school district recently diagnosed with brain cancer and the CapStrong Corporation, named in honor of former Rosemount High School student Cap George, who died of brain cancer in March 2020.
 
Campbell, a freshman defenseman and 2020 Rosemount graduate, played football with George. Sabo, a sophomore forward and 2019 Rosemount alum, knew George as well.
 
"Cap was a great guy," said Campbell, who already has two goals and five assists during his first year of college hockey following two full seasons at the junior level. "The whole school was devastated when he died, so it means a lot to be able to come back and do something in his memory."
 
"I think we all know someone who's been impacted by cancer in some way," added Sabo, who has missed the past two weeks after reaggravating a knee injury that led to surgery this past offseason but plans to be back in action this weekend. "This is a good way to raise money to help people who are going through that. And, for Mason and I, it's a chance to come back home and play in the arena we grew up in."
 
SJU head coach Doug Schueller said Campbell's father, Troy, who is active as a coach in the Rosemount youth hockey community, had a big hand in making Saturday's event possible.
 
"He reached out to me this past summer after Mason had committed and asked if we'd be interested in coming down there and playing a game," said Schueller, whose team is 3-2-1 in MIAC play and 5-5-1 overall heading into this weekend's action, which begins with a non-conference home matchup against Concordia (Wis.) for Senior Night at 7 p.m. Friday at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud.
 
"I told him we'd done that before in places like Buffalo and Waconia. This is a little further away, but it's for a good cause and it fits nicely because we have a couple of Rosemount guys on the roster."
 
Schueller said the atmosphere at such neutral-site games makes them exciting.
 
"Besides being able to raise money and make an impact, it also benefits us because we know there will be a good crowd on hand to support us," he said. "When you do a neutral-site game, it's seen as a bigger event and the house is usually packed."
 
For Campbell and Sabo, it marks their first game at the arena since their senior years in high school. Each also has a brother now on the roster of the Rosemount boys varsity, so the day will be sort of a family reunion.
 
"We made a lot of memories in that place over the years," said Sabo, who spent three seasons in junior hockey (including one with the St. Cloud Norsemen) before beginning his college career at the Air Force Academy, then transferring to SJU at the holiday break last season.
 
"We both have a lot of buddies coming and I know what those guys are like at games. I hope they bring that same kind of energy on Saturday."
 
Campbell grew up just down the street from Sabo and the two have remained close over the years. He said having a friend already here helped convince him to give SJU a shot as well.
 
"I've known Jackson pretty much my whole life," Campbell said. "After he transferred here last year, he told me how much he loved it. Then I came up to campus and saw all the beautiful old buildings. I got to know the coaches and they were awesome. I just knew this was the right fit."
 
Now both players are part of a Johnnie team hoping to build some momentum heading into the holiday break. After Saturday, SJU does not play again until beginning a two-game MIAC series with Gustavus Adolphus on Jan. 6 at the National Hockey Center.
 
"For Jackson and me, it's going to be a lot of fun to come home and play in front of a lot of familiar faces," Campbell said. "But, as a team, it's the last time we play before Christmas and we want to go into the break on a good note."