Riley Onell, a junior here at Notre Dame Academy, is fully devoted to the sport of hockey.

Onell started playing hockey when he was six years old, and has never stopped since.

“I started playing hockey when I moved to Minnesota and all my friends there played it,” said Onell. “Watching them made me want to try it out.”

Onell had the honor and privilege to be one of the the four captains on the hockey squad.

Onell said his passion for the game stems back to his two inspirations: his father and his best friend Jacob Conrad.

“My dad and Jacob are both really hard workers and they are just overall positive people,” said the junior.

Conrad, a member of the Notre Dame hockey team as well, is a captain alongside Onell.

“Riley’s a great guy to play with, and I think we both make each other better,” said Conrad.

Through his many years of hockey, Onell has learned what it takes to be a good player.

“I think the most important thing is being confident in yourself, but also you have to be able to work hard, be competitive and, of course, be a good teammate,” he said.

Onell explained that hockey has taught him to become a better skater, shooter and puck handler, but it’s more than just that.

“More importantly, hockey has taught me about being confident, working hard, being competitive and being a good teammate,” he said.

Along with hockey, Onell is also a member of French Club and National Honor Society

After high school, he would like to play Division 1 hockey for the University of Minnesota.

“My plan after high school is definitely playing hockey, but I would also like to attend medical school in hopes to become an orthodontist,” said Onell.