Mailan Nguyen
Staff Writer
Unlike most students at Mira Costa, freshman Grant Sikich spends most of his time in skates on the ice, rather than sandals on the beach.
Sikich travels with his ice hockey team to pursue his dream of becoming a professional player for the LA Kings. He started playing hockey competitively when he was only 5 years old in his home town of Hermosa Beach.
“Every time I step onto the ice I get an adrenaline rush because I love the feeling of playing,” Said Sikich, “It is basically my life.”
Sikich now plays for the LA Jr. Kings Bantam AA where they practice and play at the Toyota Sports Center every Tuesday from 5 to 6 and every Thursday from 6 to 7.
“Grant is a great team player that gives 110% when he is on the ice. He’s a good skater, passer and always knows where to be,” Said teammate Ian Sculteure, “ He is very tough and does not let anything affect how he’s playing.”
Over Thanksgiving break Sikich traveled to Colorado Springs where his team went against California Heat, LA Jr. Kings 002, and Colorado Evolution. His team won 6 of the 7 games.
“This was the first tournament that I had played with this team and it was honestly the best, the gameplay was amazing because we were all so close,” said Sikich, “ They were the best games of my life.”
Tragically, Sikich broke his leg, dislocated his knee, and sprained his ankle while playing in the first five minutes of the 3rd game. According to Sikich, he was skating along the boards when a player lunged at him at full speed knocking him down, causing the injuries.
“Of course breaking my leg really hurt, but what hurt more was knowing that I would not be able to play the sport I love for the rest of the season,” Said Sikich, “ There was still not one time in my mind that I wanted to quit.”
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