Drake Crawford '21 Recruiting Profile

As a graduating senior, I recognize the importance of attending college, however, I would like to advance my skill level on a Junior team before working toward my goal of playing college hockey. I believe taking the time between high school and college to work on my hockey skills will also make be a better person all around.

I am grateful for hockey because it has given me many life experiences and opportunities for personal growth. Last year I moved to Connecticut from Wyoming at 16 years old to play for the Connecticut Chiefs' AAA team in the AYHL and Beast League. From this experience I learned how to balance remote schoolwork, living away from home with a billet family, negotiating a higher level of hockey, and finding my place on a team with new coaches and teammates. This opportunity really demonstrated my ability to be independent and a team player. 

This year I was scheduled to play for the Meaford Knights, Junior A GMHL, in Ontario, Canada. It was a dream of mine to play hockey in Canada, however, due to COVID-19 the season was canceled and I was unable to make the trip. Instead, I am lucky to be able to play with my local team but take every chance to find ice time. To keep in hockey shape, this summer I drove from Wyoming to Colorado several times a week to attend stick and puck sessions in Denver and Fort Collins. I also get up at 5:30 am once a week to participate in early morning stick and puck sessions in Laramie and often stay after practices to play with the adult league. While I am disappointed I was not able to play in Canada this year, I have taken every opportunity to be on the ice because I love this game. 

I have had supportive coaches to help me advance my hockey career and to pay it forward I have been helping coach the new young goalies once a week. I also mentor my younger teammates by setting examples of hard work on and off the ice and making them get up early with me for stick and puck. 

I live and breathe hockey, and when I’m not on the ice I am working on hand eye coordination and stick handling in my basement or going to the gym. Even though I work hard I have an even-tempered attitude. For example, when I get scored on I don’t get angry, I learn from what happened and move forward to stop the next puck. My coaches tell me I have the perfect temperament for a goalie. I played my first game as goalie at age six against a higher age group and I haven’t looked back since.

Given my love for hockey I recognize the importance of balance between academics and hockey. I have always had a 3.7 GPA or higher and worked hard to have a 4.0 for my senior year. I do have plans to attend college to become a more successful individual, to create better future job opportunities for myself, to gain new knowledge, and to access learning new things I wouldn’t be able to without higher education. I plan to study anthropology because it combines my two interests in history and human behavior.

Overall, I believe being part of a high-level hockey team would give me the skills, such as teamwork, community, commitment, dedication, and balance, to become the best person I can be.