Nick Hansen was bound to play junior hockey in Philadelphia one way or another.

Last season, the talented goaltender signed a tender with the NCDC’s Philadelphia Hockey Club and planned on heading east this season.

When the NCDC team left the USPHL during the offseason, an EHL team was created and Hansen signed to play there.

“The facility is great,” said Hansen of the Hollydell Ice Center. “We got a good setup and we have a good, skilled, hard-working team. I got a pretty busy schedule with a 1:30-1:45 p.m. practice every day and then a 45-minute workout. When I’m not at the rink with the team, I’m normally just back at the billet house doing schoolwork.

“I live in a nice area about 30 minutes outside of Philly and it’s quiet and calm.”

Hansen said his top goal this season is a simple one.

“My priority is to continue developing and working on my game to move up to a higher level of juniors either this season or next season,” Hansen said.

Born in South Korea and adopted when he was born, Hansen was just a year old when he came to the United States to grow up in Arizona, where he has lived his whole life.

Once he started lacing up the skates, the Mesa native played eight seasons for the Jr. Coyotes before moving to the Colorado Thunderbirds for his 16U and 18U seasons.

Looking ahead, Hansen sees continuous advancement.

“My short-term goal in hockey would probably just to make it to the next level and to hopefully one day play NCAA Division I college hockey,” said Hansen. “I would like to go to school to pursue a business degree. Then long term would to be able to play professional hockey somewhere and make it my full-time job and career.”

Photo/Dan Hickling/Hickling Images

— Matt Mackinder

(November 9, 2022)