Evan Vadola '24 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing hockey since I was three years old and after my first touch on the ice I never looked back. I have now been playing for over twelve years and every moment on the ice seems like a special one to me. I have been a starting varsity player for the Hillsborough High School ice hockey team since my freshman year and I am currently going into my third season as a junior. As a defenseman I see myself providing a very large amount to the team between my battles in the corners, speed to escape traffic and rush it up the ice, and puck movement abilities to create space on the ice. I do not just associate hockey with myself playing however, as I have been a hockey referee for five years. I'm currently a level three referee.  After the sport and community gave so much to me in my twelve years of play, I figured it only be right that I give back.  I find giving back to the community, whether hockey or not, to be a very important aspect and one that I pride myself on doing. I, along with my dad, partake in animal rescue flights where we save dogs from abandonment, abusive owners, and overall bad situations and fly them back to be in a safe shelter and adopted into a new home. To give back to others means so much to me. Hockey is very important to me and a big part of my life, but school is as well.  I have averaged a 4.0 GPA and look to continue that in my latter years in high school. I'm currently in AP English. I already have a general idea as to what my studies in college should focus on and I see myself looking to build a career in Kinesiology or Physical Therapy. As a hockey player whenever I walk into school, the rink, or somewhere in everyday life, I recognize that I am not only representing myself but my team and the sport as a whole. I take coaches feedback to heart and try to apply it to my game with every new small correction they give.  One of the best compliments I've consistently received throughout my years playing is that I'm very coachable.  Coaches recognize that I value their feedback and use it to keep improving my level of play.  I see being punctual to the rink as a very important aspect to becoming a better player and teammate. My goal on the ice is to not only better myself but my teammates as well and I see myself as a team player all of the time. My inspiration for hockey and aspiration to improve only grows larger by the day. I look forward to continuing my hockey career in college while also working towards my degree.