After 13 years of hard work and dedication to roller hockey, senior Wyatt Saunders makes it to the top of the youth division: the AAA level. 

“It’s exciting and stressful at the same time between the commitment and the effort needed to play,” Saunders said.

Saunders watched his parents play roller hockey since he was born and began learning how to skate at age two. As Saunders got older, he got more involved and began playing roller hockey at the age of four. He took to the sport and hasn’t stopped playing since.

“I would always go to my parents’ games, sit on the bench and just enjoy everything,” Saunders said.

While Saunders improved drastically through the years, he continued to struggle with his speed. The quick foot movements of a fast start are a technique that he’s struggled with for some time until recently. In the spring of 2022, everything clicked in roller hockey and from then on, he has grown as a player.

“Wyatt has always been pretty solid, but these past couple of years he has taken big strides and is starting to come into his own as a hockey player,” junior teammate Traftyn Bellew said.

Throughout the years, Saunders has participated in many tournaments, but one he particularly remembers is Legends. This tournament is one he competed in with professional players. Because he was playing with and competing against those at the professional level, the goal he scored was all the more special. 

“Playing those pro games was an experience that I won’t forget, especially the goal I scored in that game,” Saunders said.

Once graduated, he plans to take a gap year before possibly playing at the colligate level or going overseas. The countries he’s considering continuing his roller hockey career in are Italy, Spain and France. 

“As someone who also had him as a coach on the bench, he has gotten more experience and wisdom about hockey,” younger sister Bella Saunders said. “He is someone who has always been super eager to go to the hockey rink and play more or get better and practice.”