When you think of popular sports in Iowa, the big ones that come to mind are baseball, basketball or football. However, some students at Norwalk High School said they love the game of hockey.
Sophomore Ava Cantelope said she is an adaptive hockey player. Because she has spina bifida, a newborn disease that prevents the spine from functioning properly, she continues to live her dream by playing sled hockey.
“It’s given me something to which I could dedicate all of my time,” Ava said.
When asked how many hockey games she has been to, Ava said she couldn’t think of a number, as it was too many to count.
“I love the sport,” Ava said. “It’s a good [sport] to watch.”
Ava said her favorite team is the Pittsburgh Penguins, with her favorite player being Evgeni Malkin, a Russian forward. Ava said she highly encourages people to go to the games, and that people should go because of the energy and the experience that the game brings.
Senior Kyle Erickson said there is a lot to like in the sport of hockey.
“The atmosphere of the crowd, the cheering, and how fast-paced the game is,” Kyle said. “I think that’s what makes it better than some other sports.”
However, Kyle said that there are some downsides as well.
“Some of the offsides rules, I don’t like those too much, and just the icing rules, too,” Kyle said.
Keegan Johnson, junior, said that he likes the physicality that the sport brings.
“I think the brutality, like the hits, that’s probably my favorite part,” he said.
Kyle and Keegan said their favorite team is the second-newest NHL team, the Vegas Golden Knights. Kyle said his favorite player is Jonathan Marchessault, a Canadian forward for the Golden Knights.
