Bryce Flint '19 Recruiting Profile

I started playing hockey when I was seven years old. I started ice skating when my mom signed me up for learn to skate classes at our local ice rink. I didn't really enjoy the skating classes because it was mostly based off of teaching kids the basic fundamentals of figure skating. Our ice complex has two rinks, a studio rink and an NHL size rink. I remember when my mom took me to watch the peewees practice after I finished my lesson for the day. I instantly fell in love with the game. I told my mom I wanted to quit figure skating lessons and start playing hockey, ever since that day hockey has become an everyday factor in my life. 

    I have always wanted to play in the NHL starting when I was ten.  As a young kid growing up in the city, I heard that most players in the NHL are drafted from top tier colleges.  Going to college is an important thing for me because it's another big step toward hopefully becoming an NHL player.  However, college hockey isn't just about making it to the NHL. The experience means a whole lot more. The team bonding, the competitiveness and the fan atmosphere are all important elements to me. My coach had a saying that stuck with me, he said, "There are people that play hockey, and there are people that are hockey players" I have always wanted to be a hockey player.  The definition of a hockey player for me is someone who gives everything he's got at home, at school, at practice, and during games. I play for my family, my friends, for my coach's, and my teammates, and I want to continue that at a higher level. 

    When I played travel for the first time ever I was surprised how rude everyone was to each other. I remember we only won one game that season because half of the team was either yelling at each other about their position. Telling them how they were playing it wrong, or they were goofing off in the locker room before, and after the game. They were even goofing off on the ice. It's not my job to blame others and and tell others how to play their position, that's the coaches job. My job as a teammate is to fulfill the responsibilities that come with my position. I think a good teammate can give constructive criticism, however I would never blame any of my teammates for a goal or a penalty. Hockey is a team sport, a loss is not the fault of one person, it's the whole teams problem. 

    I work really hard when it comes to school, and had a good start to freshman year in high school. I ended first quarter with two A's and the rest were B's. I challenge myself every time I am on the ice, trying to push myself one hundred percent every practice and game. For me ice time is earned. I know that freshman year everyone has to play but that does not mean your going to be on that first, second or third line. You might be on the fourth line and maybe coach subs in a guy from first line to take your spot. I have seen that happen before and it reminds me that I'm lucky to be getting ice time, and motivates me to work even harder.

    I take hockey very seriously, whether it's on the ice or off the ice. Hockey is something that I want in my every day life.