For Nathaniel Cortright, senior, playing hockey at Sunlake was always a challenge. In his freshman year, he had to play for Mitchell High School on an incomplete team that did not even put up a fight during games. That was of course, before Sunlake joined forces with Cypress Creek to build a full team. “I love being able to represent Sunlake and pull together a team when there wasn’t originally enough hockey players in the area”, Nathan said. “There is something awesome about multiple schools joining forces in order to play a full season together.”
Being part of a combined team brought some unexpected benefits. “It allowed me to make friends at other schools. Every now and then I would go to a football game that is Sunlake verse Cypress, and I bump into friends from both schools.” One of Nathan’s favorite moments came this season, when his team competed in the championship game at the home arena of the Tampa Bay Lightning. “Unfortunately we didn’t take home the win but it was still awesome to get to feel the atmosphere of the arena”, Nathan said.
But this season was not without it’s challenges for Nate. During a game early into the season, he suffered a shoulder separation from an awkward hit. “I wasn’t able to play for a few weeks and it really sucked. I had to slow down and reflect more on my interests, but in the end I recovered and came back to the sport.”
For Nathan, balancing hockey, school, and work hasn’t been easy. “I just take things one step at a time,” he said. As a senior, he plays with added motivation. “My time left on the ice is limited,” he explained. “Losing the championship my sophomore year really pushed me.”
Since freshman year, his growth has been clear. “I went from zero goals to scoring regularly and even getting a hat trick recently. My game sense improved, and I understand my position better now.”
