Junior hockey prodigy follows his dreams

After spending four years in high school, most students typically go off to a number of options ranging from college, trade school, the military, or even taking a gap year. But for Junior Griffin Zaske, his plans are quite the opposite, as he is preparing to embark to follow his dream.

Zaske has been playing hockey since he was three years old. His love for the sport sparked after just a few times on the ice, and he never looked back. Zaske first started playing for the KV Rebels, then followed by Belle Tire, Little Caesars, Honey Baked, and OJG (Oakland Junior Grizzlies). For more than a decade, Zaske has served as a defensemen for many teams as he has dedicated his life to projecting himself as an elite prospect.

“I’ll be joining the El Paso Rhinos of the NAHL this season, so I’ll be heading down to Texas in August to start my season there,” Zaske said. The El Paso Rhinos are a Junior team in the North American Hockey League, the top junior league in the United States.

As Zaske prepares himself for this next chapter of his career, he will also be faced with many challenges and differences, one being his living situation. As he makes his way to El Paso, he will be living with a host family, who provides him with the basic necessities and a place to live during his season. For many elite young athletes, this is part of the ritual of playing in this league— finding a new home away from home.

Not only will Zaske be faced with living differences, but also many differences when it comes to the game. He said, “I’ll be playing against kids who are two to three years older than me, so the games will be a lot faster and quick-paced. Not only that, but these players tend to and will be a lot stronger and better than people I have gone up against in the past.”

Zaske spent so much time playing hockey, and surrounding himself with it, it has quickly become more than a hobby for him. Zaske has a passion for the sport that has given him so much in this life. He says, “Hockey means everything to me, it’s the only constant I’ve had since I was 3.” He continued, “I’ve learned so much from hockey, it’s had a huge impact in my life and is the reason I am the person I am today. I truly don’t know what I would do without it.”

Zaske has also found hockey to be his safe haven and an escape from the real world around him. “My favorite thing about hockey is how I can show up to the rink and everything else that’s on my mind is gone for those hours and that time that I’m at the rink doing what I love.”

Aside from the actual sporting aspect of hockey, Zaske enjoys the players and people of the game. He says, “Every team I’ve been on has been special, they’re your brothers that you would go to war for. Going into the season I’m about to have, I might not know anyone on the team, but at the end of the season, the amount of memories, friendships, and respect we have for each other is unforgettable.”

As Zaske prepares to embark on his journey to his dream, he also prepares to leave everything he’s known behind. Zaske plans to continue playing hockey, and “Make it as far as he can.”

Zaske’s intensity, appreciation, passion, and love for the sport will motivate him today, tomorrow, and the rest of his days; his loyalty to the game is unmatched. Zaske is prepared for the days ahead of him and the hardships to come because he has a fire like no other.