2020 | Minnesota | BOYS

Maple Grove | Crimson | BOYS

Quality 1: Passion for the Game
Excellence is an all the time thing. Spencer Dahlquist team Captain walks this daily as a person, student and an athlete. His character and integrity are second-to-none and do not waiver. He plays hockey because he loves the game and everything that it gives to a person. From the joy of playing, to the camaraderie with teammates, to the competition from the opponent, to the desire to become the best player he can be – He loves it all. It is vividly seen in his attitude, His approach and his journey over the last three years. Spencer has worked extremely hard over the past three years as a varsity player and ultimately the Senior team captain. Adversity builds character and character builds excellence is a saying that comes to mind when I think about his hockey journey. Spencer became determined and relentless in his own development. He put in many extra hours during the season as well as in the off-season. Spencer understands the commitment and sacrifice needed to accomplish goals as well as the patience and belief in oneself that is needed to reach them. As his hockey coach, I have seen these attributes illuminate Spencer’s character and enjoyed watching his growth from a youth player to a varsity hockey player. He is a complete team player and focuses all his efforts on team success. He always accepts his role and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure success. Spencer combines an excellent work ethic, selfless team first attitude, a commitment to his work, and passion for the game to become a model athlete to coach. He always finds the positives and continues to work through adversity. Spencer never settles and will do whatever it takes to be successful. He never takes a short-cut and plays the game the right way; demonstrating that he understands sportsmanship and playing with integrity. Spencer Dahlquist is excellence and displays this in his character, sportsmanship and love of the game of hockey.

Quality 2: Willingness to Make Sacrifices for the Team
Spencer is selfless. He plays for the love of the game rather than playing time, accolades, assists, goals or awards. Daily he provided an example and reminder to us all that hockey is about the team, hockey is about learning, hockey is about the process, and hockey is about the experience. He understands what it takes to compete as he is not the biggest but he is definitely the toughest He accepts his role, always comes to the rink ready to practice or play with a positive attitude and a strong desire for fierce competition. Spencer does not take a drill, shift, practice or game for granted. He takes it all in and loves what this game and his teammates can give to make the team better. He is the type of athlete that makes coaches stay in coaching.

Quality 3: Demonstrates Leadership Qualities
Spencer is a quiet leader. He leads with his work ethic. He leads with his attitude. He leads with his selflessness. He leads with his passion for this game. Spencer will also lead with his voice and his actions. He doesn’t say a lot but when he does talk, his teammates listen. Spencer’s teammates that play every game respect his, play for his not allowing a missed shift or a change in line combinations to change their attitude. I believe it is because Spencer never complains, is always one of the first to the rink, does extra, is a fierce competitor and is grateful daily.

Spencer is coachable. He listens and makes changes when we talk to the whole group, when we talk to just to the defensemen and when we talk individually to him. When Spencer plays, He is a player who is a stabilizer – plays simple, doesn’t make many mistakes and is always where he needs to be. His character and integrity are of the highest of order and they do not waiver. He finds a positive in everything and is a fierce competitor who never settles. Spencer is always making sure players are accountable and doing what they should be doing to make the team better.