Personal Statement
Hockey is my passion. Hockey is my life. Hockey is my goal.
I grew up in an ice rink watching my older brother play hockey, it was the only way of life I knew and the only way of life I wanted. He also had the dream of playing college hockey but he didn't make it…. I would have to work harder. At first I had an advantage, I was bigger than most of my peers and was scoring 10 times the goals of my teammates in travel hockey. Making the move to Tier 1 hockey at age nine was not a difficult transition as my size and skills complemented the level of play.
On the ice, my puck handling, shooting skills and hockey sense gained the confidence of the coaches. However, at some point my constantly growing body became awkward and difficult to navigate. The smaller players seemed to have all the speed, I needed to improve my leg strength to support my body size. I would have to work even harder. This began a continual process of power skating, off ice training and conditioning. My speed has since improved every year and I have found that I can focus on improving the strengths that compliment my size. My up front net presence as well as my physicality on the boards and excellent stick handling have made me a strong overall presence on the ice. The constant effort involved in improving my speed has also added to my strong work ethic.
I am fortunate to have a family that supports my passion. My parents and siblings have been to countless practices, games, and tournaments. They have celebrated with me the many goals and victories, and have been there for me for the frustration of penalties, sitting and defeats. Through the thirteen years of my hockey life, each day has been rewarding and tomorrow brings new hopes for new highs.
While I view hockey as a passion, it is still a sport. My career goals start with education and I am committed to attaining the next chapter in my academic path that will challenge me yet allow me to continue to fuel my hockey desire and passion. As a student athlete in multiple sports, I understand the commitment level it takes to be successful in both paths of education and athletics. The schedule is demanding, and at times overpowering. While playing AAA hockey with an invitation to the National Championships, I also played high school lacrosse and maintained the commitment to classroom requirements.
On the bench, I have always been committed to team first. As I have progressed in my hockey levels, I have found that the teams that play like a team are the ones at the top of the rankings. In recent years I have had the fortunes of playing alongside incredibly talented players who are now proving themselves at the top of the talent charts in USA Hockey. These are the players I have the most respect for, and the ones who helped me form the values I have today as a player.
