The aspects and complexities of playing sports can be minimized when you’re not a part of a team. Things like practice and games are apparent, but only a team knows the community and friendship built within, including challenges faced along the way. As the hockey season approaches an end, it’s safe to say the Dakota Ridge hockey team worked their way through it together. With the help of junior Tyler Gray and his teammates, complexities like injuries and new people were overcome. According to Gray, it is more than just a game and the people on the team.
Q: Why do you choose to play hockey and not another sport?
Gray: The constant movement and how unique of a sport it is really makes it more fun than other sports.
Q: What interests you about hockey?
Gray: What interests me about hockey is just how much a team and players can grow throughout the season and how we all really come together.
Q: How is the season going this year?
Gray: The season is going alright, definitely more developmentally focused this year and preparing to become a better team next year.
Q: How do you and the team adapt?
Gray: Our team is constantly adapting with many injuries throughout the year, causing many players to play with new people and at new positions.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect this year?
Gray: The most challenging aspect of this year was the beginning because of injuries and new players being introduced to the team.
Q: What is your role on the Dakota Ridge hockey team?
Gray: My role on the team is definitely showing by example on the ice and creating intensity and a family within the team.
Q: What are one or two words that describe you as a hockey player?
Gray: A couple words that describe me as a player would be as hard working and easy to get along with because of the movement, injuries and other setbacks.
Q: What is one story about a game that has had an impact on you and your perspective on hockey and life in general?
Gray: This year our head coach’s wife got cancer, and to support her and her journey, we had a game dedicated to her, and it opened my eyes into how much bigger than just the players are in these games. Playing for and supporting her and others really showed me how we can support people and make the game bigger than ourselves.
Q: How do you apply school thinking to hockey, and vice versa?
Gray: I apply school thinking to hockey by focusing on one thing at a time and getting 1% better every day because that’s how you complete your goals and become better.
Q: What do you do when you’re not playing hockey?
Gray: When I’m not playing hockey, I like playing other sports like basketball and football, as well as hanging out with my friends and teammates.
