Nathan Coast of Fort Macleod is playing defence for the Val Matteotti Golden Hawks of the Alberta Elite AAA U15 Hockey League.
A Fort Macleod defenceman is patrolling the blue line for the Val Matteotti Golden Hawks.
Nathan Coast made the Alberta Elite AAA U15 Hockey League team in his first year of eligibility.
“Making AAA as a first year player was very exciting, knowing I will have two years of Bantam AAA to start the rest of my career,” Nathan said in an interview.
“My biggest goal in the beginning was just to make this team. My main goal was just to keep improving in all aspects of my game to make a positive difference for my team.”
The five foot 11, 150-pound defenceman played Minor Hockey in Fort Macleod from Intro to Atom before joining the Lethbridge Mustangs for his first year of Pee Wee.
Nathan played last season with the Lethbridge AA Hurricanes White until the season was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, Nathan has played hockey in the spring with the Lethbridge Revels and Southern Alberta Battle and attended other camps.
Nathan said along the way he has benefitted from inspiring and experienced coaches.
This season, Nathan is one of only four players born in 2008 to crack the Golden Hawks roster.
“It was a very big eye-opener the first game I played in the AEHL with the Golden Hawks,” Nathan said. “The speed, physicality, size difference, and the dedication of my teammates and coaches were the major differences between other leagues I have played in and the AEHL.”
The Golden Hawks require considerable dedication and commitment from players, who must take part in one dryland training session and three practices each week, along with two weekend games.
In addition, the Golden Hawks play in tournaments, take mental sport coaching and power skating instruction.
“This level of hockey does take a lot of time in my life,” Nathan explained. “In order to achieve my max potential on the ice I have to keep a clean diet and train my body by working out about three to five times a week.”
Nathan admits he wouldn’t be able to play for the Golden Hawks without the unflagging support of his parents James and Jill Coast, and his grandfather Gary Nielson.
“I’m very grateful for my parents and the time they dedicate to me and my passions,” Nathan said. “They drive me to every one of my practices, they watch my games, and help out with anything they can that is connected to my team. . . I’m also grateful for my grandpa and how supportive he is. When my parents can’t get me places he is always willing.”
“I am also grateful to have an amazing coaching staff who are so dedicated to us as a team. They too sacrifice lots of time from their life for us.”
A self-described defensive defenceman, Nathan enjoys hockey for its speed and the quick decisions that are required.
Nathan views his speed, size, playmaking ability and team play as the strengths of his game. He’s working to improve his shot and physicality.
To that end, Nathan has help from Trevor Hardy, a Fort Macleod man who trains athletes in Lethbridge.
“I don’t know if I could have made this level of hockey without him,” Nathan said.
The Golden Hawks play in the south division of the AEHL with Airdrie Extreme, Red Deer Rebels, Calgary Flames, Calgary Bisons, South West Tigers, Okotoks Oilers, Calgary Royals and Calgary Northstars.
The north division includes St. Albert Sabres, Grande Peace Storm, Fort Saskatchewan Rangers, Parkland Saints, Lloydminister Bobcats, Sherwood Park Flyers, South Side Lions, Leduc Oil Kings, Maple Leaf Pump, Knights of Columbus Squires and Canadian Volvo of Edmonton.
Nathan has enjoyed being part of the Golden Hawks, whose players come from Lethbridge, Coaldale, Diamond City, Enchant, Carmangay, Coalhurst and Claresholm.
“My teammates are respectful and good to be around,” Nathan said. “They all have leadership qualities. Each of them have talents to contribute to the game and are very dedicated to the team. We have a lot of fun together.”
The Golden Hawks are competitive but have just three wins in 21 games and share last place in the south division with Calgary Northstars.
“We are competing in the majority of the games but wins are hard to come by for us,” Nathan said. “We are working to pull off as many more wins as possible to end off the year on a high note and to develop as a team.”
A left-handed shot, Nathan has one assist and six penalty minutes in 21 games.
“A personal highlight for me was my game play in the Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds annual tournament when in the first game I got player of the game,” Nathan said. “That was the point in this season where I felt that I started improving the most.”
Next home action for the Golden Hawks is 12 noon Sunday, Jan. 23 when they host the Northstars at Nicolas Sheran Arena.
The Golden Hawks are also at home at 12 noon Jan. 30 against Calgary Royals; 2:45 p.m. Feb. 13 against Airdrie; 1:30 p.m. Feb. 19 against Calgary Flames and 12 noon Feb. 20 against Calgary Bisons. All games are at Nicolas Sheran Arena.
