易胜博官网

The fact that Noah Grove '21 had cancer when he was a kid is part of his story in the way that any significant event can shape one鈥檚 future. It鈥檚 likely why he鈥檚 majoring in and plans to become an orthopedic oncologist. And it鈥檚 definitely how he found his way to sled hockey, a full contact sport played on the ice while sitting on a sled.

But making the that鈥檚 headed to the Winter Paralympics in South Korea in March isn鈥檛 about childhood cancer. It鈥檚 about grit and determination and stamina. Sled hockey is tough. It鈥檚 physical and requires speed and strength.听

Grove came to 易胜博官网 because it has 鈥渓ots of opportunities,鈥� he says, citing as an example the university鈥檚 reputation for helping students secure internships. was also draw; Grove knew of the program for disabled athletes and that he could train there.听"易胜博官网 provides me with the best environment to balance my academics, sports听and other aspects of my life," he says.听

鈥淥bviously this is quite a journey.鈥�

Since school started in September, Grove, a Maryland native, has only been able to be on campus for the weekend three times. Practices with the USA team are nearly all-consuming; this is his third season with the national development team. Additionally, there are tournaments. In November, Grove traveled to Minnesota for the , presented by the National Hockey League and drawing more than 300 competitors. The team has also faced off against Korea, Japan and Canada.

What鈥檚 more, Grove has spent a part of his last four summers attending sled hockey select training camps where some of the top disabled sled hockey players in the sport have been identified.

鈥淭he best players are at those camps; it鈥檚 a way to get noticed. That鈥檚 how I was picked for the development team,鈥� Grove says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me set goals for myself 鈥� milestones that would be great to hit.鈥�

Sled hockey is played on a modified sled frame that has ice hockey blades attached to the bottom, allowing the puck to pass underneath. Instead of one hockey stick, there are two. As with nondisabled teams, there are five skaters and a goalie. Grove plays forward.

鈥淥bviously this is quite a journey,鈥� Grove says of the path to the Paralympic Games. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 even imagine what it would be like 鈥� the opening ceremonies and walking out of the tunnel with your country鈥檚 flag. Having that pride.鈥�

In addition to team practices and tournament play that is ongoing, Grove also manages to work out six to seven times a week. Add in his studies and there isn鈥檛 a lot of slack.

鈥淚t鈥檚 all about time management,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 think I鈥檓 getting better at the process. I would like to be playing hockey as long as possible before I start my career, so it鈥檚 good to get a handle on balancing things now.鈥�

He calls having surgery 鈥� his left leg was amputated when he was five 鈥� and going through chemotherapy 鈥渁 long road鈥� that he feels fortunate to have traveled when he did.

鈥淚 think it would be hard now, to go through that at this age,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檓 lucky it happened when it did.鈥�

Lucky. Not the word everyone would use. But Grove never let cancer slow him down. He started playing soccer on his new leg when he was 8 years old and continued to add other sports throughout his school years: baseball, basketball, golf. 听At 15 he became the youngest player on the U.S. National Men鈥檚 Amputee Soccer Team.

鈥淭he hardest part for me about playing at this level is overcoming the mistakes I make during a game,鈥� Grove says of his sled hockey performances. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the biggest things I鈥檝e been working on while I鈥檓 on the ice. Someone said to me, 鈥榊ou have bad plays not bad games.鈥� I try to remember that.鈥�

The take place in PyeongChang March 8 鈥�18.