Ayden Agius '24 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing hockey since I was five, skating since I was two, but most importantly I have loved it for as long as I can remember. When I first started to play my family thought it would just be something to do, never that it would take over our entire lives. When I started hockey school I was put in the beginner group, but since my dad was a coach it allowed me to be on the ice double the amount of time than everyone else. I did not disappoint, even at such a young age. I loved being on the ice. I put the work in which brought me up to the advanced group by the end of the season. Then again the next year, I went to AA not because I had the natural talent but because my coach said I had the heart and that I worked harder than any other kid at those tryouts. I have been doing that ever since, whether it be school, athletics or anything I put my all into, I will succeed. My first year of AAA, I came in, supposed to just fill a role as the 6th defenseman, but I didn’t accept that and made a change. By the halfway mark of the year I had already established myself as one of the top players. That's the type of person I am. I will work as hard and as long as it takes to be the best in anything I do. It is my competitive instinct to be the best. I know how to win, I know how to learn from losing, but most importantly I know how to work. It is the mentality that I go with everyday no matter what I am doing. 

I aspire to be the best version of myself day in and day out. This means getting in the lab, classroom, rink, gym, on the field or wherever it is to push myself to the highest level. That is why Division I Hockey is so important to me, I will be able to get a top tier education and play the sport I love while experiencing the best parts of my life at your school. 

For me, physical aspects are maybe one of my greatest gifts. I excel in each sport I play, as well as when working out. I am quick and agile, but also have the stature to be able to put on more muscle which I continue to do as I try to workout as much as I can each day to become the best athlete possible. It is not just working out that will separate me, it is my understanding of nutrition and sleep that will make the difference. I was in the A.I.M. (Actively In Motion) program in middle school. In this program we learned all of our normal school work, but also were physically active everyday. Because of this, we got extra things that other students didn't get, for example working with Sheridan College Kinesiology program, where we learned about nutrition and muscle building as well as numerous other opportunities. I continue to use what I have learned in that program to improve my everyday life. 

As a player, one of my greatest strengths is my IQ. One of the biggest reasons I am where I am in hockey today is my IQ. It allows me to see the game from a different perspective, to make the right decision when it’s there and not throw the puck away, but instead keep possession and be able to make the correct play. It is also the reason I am able to set my teammates up for scoring opportunities and stop scoring chances in the defensive end. My IQ allows me to be a threat on special teams as well, as I can see plays developing quicker than opponents to create an open shot for myself, put the puck in the right spot for a teammate or intercept a puck in the defensive zone. My IQ is what allows my talent to show, I am an offensive defenseman so I like to rush the puck, creating and setting up scoring opportunities. I am also very versatile as I play both right and left defense primarily, however I have played every position there is (aside from goalie). I have played forward when injuries occur along with on power play at times when coaches have wanted me to bring extra energy, or go to the front of the net to use my strong hand eye and get tips and bury rebounds. My IQ is what makes me stand out. It allows me to move the puck, take the right shot, not give up turnovers, step up and create turnovers and so much more.

Finally, as important as hockey is I also understand that academics is crucial. In every one of my classes I can excel even if it is not my favourite subject. I can push through and get good grades. I currently have a 91.33% average but that is not even what I am most proud of. On each report card our teachers have to mark us on learning skills and work habits. E meaning excellent, G meaning good, S meaning satisfactory, and N meaning needs improvement. For as long as I can remember, I have gotten E’s in every category, as well as great teacher comments talking about how hard a worker I am and how it has been a pleasure to teach me. 

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to read my personal statement. I hope that we can have a good strong relationship in the future.

Ayden

_{(July 2021)}