Nicholas Hlinka '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Nicholas Hlinka. I am 17 years old and I am a senior at Voorhees High School in Glen Gardener New Jersey. I currently play on the Hunterdon Bears U18 A team in Flemington New Jersey. Over the years, the sport of hockey has changed me and shaped me into the person I am today. I haven't been on the most fortunate teams but that has not stopped me from working hard. My love for the sport drives me everyday to work harder and train. When school got cancelled because of COVID-19, I would wake up, do my work, and then go in my basement everyday and shoot puck for hours. My family hated it because of how loud it was but all that training showed when I got back on the ice in july. In addition, being a student athlete can be hard at times but I have managed to keep decent grades while doing hockey four times a week and tennis in the spring everyday. My determination and tenacity are the qualities that have given me the opportunities I have today. I was always told I had to work hard if I wanted my dreams to come true and I am still working hard everyday to try and achieve those dreams. I can't take all the credit for those qualities. Those qualities would not be possible without some influential people that came into my life. There's a couple of coaches that definitely pushed me but most importantly are my parents. They have been my biggest fans and also my most annoying coaches. They have sacrificed so much for me to play hockey for the last ten years there is no repaying them for that. My dad in particular has played a big part in my coming up as a hockey player constantly pushing me to be better and quicker.  My dad always tells me if I don't work hard now them I will never make it in life and that all that hard work even if it seems excessive it will pay off in the long run and that's all that matters. These people have shaped me and raised me to be the person I am writing to you today. Not only does that make me a better hockey player but it makes me a better person. A person who knows the amount of work that is ahead to get where I want to be. A person that is willing to go through that work to get to the best position possible. It is hard to find people like that nowadays and I consider myself lucky to be on of those people especially at my age. I appreciate your attention and thank you for reading.

Nicholas Hlinka