Quinn Rugg '23 Recruiting Profile

            This is how hockey changed my life. I was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and I grew up here around my extended family until I was ten years old. Then we moved to California. I lived there for five years, meeting new people, and trying new things. My family and I moved back to Colorado Springs at the beginning of my junior year. It was challenging to readjust after being gone for so long. That year, I played varsity tennis. I had previously played junior varsity tennis as a freshman and sophomore in California. I enjoyed it, however, I yearned for something more team-like and more physically demanding. Then I found hockey.

            Only a handful of schools in my area had a hockey program, but mine, Palmer High School, was one of them. I was motivated to tryout because of my father had played at the same school, playing in three state championships, winning two of them. That motivated me to try and play again so I decided to play goalie like my father had and stepped on the ice at tryouts. It was a disaster, but I was able to secure the last spot on the junior varsity roster and immediately fell in love with the sport again.

            Throughout my junior season I worked extremely hard. I went to any ice time that I could fine, worked one on one weekly with former professional goalie (still do), and received incredible support from my family and coaching staff. During the season I climbed from the sixth goaltender on the roster to the third. After the season ended I continued to work on my skills in hockey while experiencing life to the fullest. I starting going to the gym for to prepare for the summer league, while working full time, and fine-tuned my diet. I met a lot of people from different schools during that time since the summer league mixed players from each school onto different teams. Those experiences introduced me to players that challenged me and helped me grow.

            My hard work paid off and I was named the starting varsity goalie at the beginning of this season. In my first two varsity starts I posted 0.91 save percentage, which included a 60 save performance against the defending High School National Champion, Denver East. Hockey has motivated me to excel in a way I never have before, as well as helped me focus academically. The sport has taught me that team bonds are like family and how important our teamwork is during tough times. In the coming months I will focus on elevating my game

            My goal is to secure a spot on a junior team next year, continue work hard and grow as a player, and ultimately play at the collegiate level while studying finance or economics. What sets me apart from other candidates is that I am REALISTIC and COACHABLE. I understand that I am late to the game. I am confident without an ego and recognize that I have to work twice as hard as everyone else. All I am asking for is the opportunity to compete for you. I am not afraid to start at the bottom and work my way up. I have done it once before and I know that I can do it again. I am driven, hungry, and willing to do whatever is necessary to help my future team be successful.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Quinn Rugg