- 2020 Highlights
Personal Statement
I strive to be humble in life but think I would be a great candidate for any team that wants to win, and values character, discipline, teamwork, work ethic, and intelligence. I was unable to start playing hockey until I was almost 11, due to my dad being gone a lot and stationed with the Air Force in areas that didn’t have hockey available. Once we returned home to Michigan after his career, I tried it at a local rink for something to do, and I fell in love with the game.
At first, it was challenging as I was so far behind other players; however, I had a few encouraging coaches and a few encouraging friends on my teams, as well as supportive parents, and have since worked hard to develop my hockey sense and skills. I try to always play cleanly (less than 10 minutes of total penalties in each of the last six 40+ game seasons), and I am a team player that puts the team’s success ahead of my own personal glory. I also attempt to get along with everybody, try to lead by example by working hard both on and off the ice, and encourage other teammates to do the same. That hard work and resilience paid off by my being named team captain in my last season of U16.
What I think makes me different than most other recruits is that I am a coachable and well-rounded student-athlete. I can and have played both offensive and defensive positions, often in the same game as coaches required, and I play two other high school sports (varsity tennis and JV golf), and violin in concert at a higher than average level, and I focus on other interests.
While I love playing hockey and would love to continue to play, I know that someday those days will end, most likely after college. Hence, I value my education and strive to be the best person and student I can be. I read and study history extensively, and I volunteer on average 20-30 hours a year at animal shelters, children’s food banks, helping little ones learn to skate, and in my local community and church. Due to my 3.8 GPA and volunteering, I was inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) this past Fall, and as an NHS member, I will be tutoring other students at least an hour or two per week on top of my other commitments. I anticipate graduating college with at the very least a degree in aviation operations and as a fully credentialed pilot; I am also considering a dual degree in aviation engineering. Whichever university I end up at, I look forward to playing on a competitive hockey team that values character, hard work and unselfish team play, and not just winning. Mind you, victory is still the goal of any competition, and I will certainly do my part for the team to succeed, and hopefully win many games and tournaments, but sportsmanship and the joy of playing are extremely important, win or lose.
