Algonquin hockey player makes elite team

Pressure has never fazed Nick Addante.

When he was 10, Addante embraced a rigorous tryout at the United Center in order to gain a spot on the prestigious Brick Invitational Super Novice Tournament hockey team that was coached by former Blackhawks center and coach Denis Savard.

Now the stage is getting bigger for the Algonquin 11-year-old.

Addante has been chosen as one of two goalies for the Selects Hockey West Coast Selects ’02 team. A total of 68 players were chosen for four North American teams from a field of 300 invitees. Players will participate in the program’s spring training development program and World Selects Invitational this spring in Bolzano, Italy.

Making another elite team affords Addante the chance to expand his international hockey travels beyond Canada, where he has competed numerous times. But it also puts him in the company of some of the top young players from around the world.

The Hockey Selects program introduces 12-to-16-year-old players to another upper echelon level of hockey. Several current NHL players – including Hawks left winger Brandon Saad – are former Selects Hockey players.

“I’m excited about playing at a high level,” Addante said. “It’s pretty exciting because I get to go through the same steps (former Hockey Selects players) went through when they were kids.”

Addante plays for the Chicago Mission, an elite-level AAA youth hockey program housed out of the Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge. Addante joined the Mission after four years with the Crystal Lake Leafs program. Addante started playing hockey at age 4 and transitioned from forward to goalie – partly because of the pressure that comes with the position.

“Even when he was young, his personality really dictated that he could play (goalie),” Addante’s father, Chris said. “At that position, you’re either the hero or the zero and you have that mentality of being even-keeled whether you let in 10 goals or you throw a shutout.”

Addante tries to remain focused either way.

“If the defenseman falls and they score on you, all the pressure is on you because they scored on you and everyone yells at you,” Addante said. “But I like to learn from my mistakes and get better.”

Addante’s approach to the position was among the things that stood out to the Hockey Selects selection committee. While younger players can sometimes be oblivious to the stress that can come in highly competitive situations, Addante’s mental toughness was part of what attracted coaches to him.

“He stood out immediately,” said Shawn Hunwick, a former University of Michigan goalie and West Coast Selects ’02 head coach. “He’s strong, he moves well and has good size for his age. He has all those things you’re looking for in a 12-year-old goalie.”

The overseas experience will be new for Addante, who will be paired with a roommate during the development camp and tournament. But the learning experience will also prepare him for a future that the young goalie already has mapped out despite his young age.

“I want to get a scholarship and play in college,” said Addante, who lists Notre Dame, Boston University, Wisconsin and Michigan as his early target schools. “Then I’ll hopefully go to juniors and then hopefully, I’ll go to the NHL.”