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Brothers Helped Fuel Adam Scheel’s Love for Hockey

By Becky Olsen, 05/17/16, 8:00AM EDT

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NTDP Goalie Got His Start Playing with His Older Brothers


Photo by Rena Laverty

Adam Scheel’s love for hockey developed through watching his older brothers, Brendan and Collin.

“I grew up watching them play and going to their games,” explained Adam, now a goalie who just wrapped up his Under-17 season with the USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. “My brothers had already been through the learn-to-skate program, and I wanted to be like them.”

Of course, being the little brother often meant he was forced to camp out in goal so his brothers could practice shooting.

“They may have been a little mean,” Scheel joked. “They would make me get in net and they would shoot on me. Honestly, I was always tagging along, especially when they had their friends over. I thought they were cool and I wanted to be just like them. They are a big reason why I’m here today.”

Those experiences playing with his brothers were just part of the reason why Scheel was drawn to playing goalie.

“It was a combination of things,” said Scheel, who is from Lakewood, Ohio. “Our coach asked if anyone was interested in playing in goal, and I was the only one that hopped in net. Coach asked me if I wanted to be a real goalie and I said yes.

“You get to be the hero and sometimes you get the blame. It’s definitely something that you have to keep working at.”

Scheel came to the NTDP from the Cleveland Barons organization. His first year in Michigan had its ups and downs, as it often does for U17 players, but he credits goaltending coach Kevin Reiter for helping him with the transition.

“Coach Reiter has been great,” Scheel said. “We work with him every day on the ice. We watch video and work on different things and do drills. In practice, we are doing whatever we see on video or need to work on.

“It is mostly goals where we can see and learn from our mistakes. We also can see where we gave up chances. It’s a way to improve our game.”

Scheel, who is 6-foot-2 and 184 pounds, has also been working to better use his size between the pipes.

“I try to play a calm game,” he said. “If I get out of position, I can use my size to back up. I want to try and cover as much as the net as I can.”

Practicing against some of the top players in the country helps in his development, too. Scheel says Josh Norris has the hardest shot on the team while Evan Barratt has the most deception.

“Josh broke my cage once in practice, while it’s hard to figure out what Evan is doing with his shot,” said Scheel, who appeared in 33 games last year, posting a 4.65 goals-against average and an .868 save percentage.

All the practice, both on and off the ice, is helping Scheel improve his game.

“The warm-up drills and crease movement are my favorites,” he said. “We are doing high reps, and it’s intense with getting constant shots. 

“Off the ice, we are getting stronger. In the weight room, we push each other. It’s really going to help us next year with our experiences.”

While Scheel looks forward to next season, he also takes time to reflect upon the opportunity to wear the USA sweater as part of the NTDP.

“It means everything,” he said. “Growing up and hearing about the program, I always dreamed about playing here. I remember watching the Olympics and couldn’t wait to be a part of it and the opportunity to wear the jersey.”

That helps explain why his first international tournament, the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, meant so much.

“Our first international tournament in Dawson Creek [British Columbia] was most memorable,” Scheel said. “It was the first time we had played a Canadian team, and to wear the USA jersey and play against Canada, it was something special.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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Photo by Rena Laverty

Adam's Favorites

Favorite U.S. Player
Ryan Miller

Favorite Movie
Lord of the Rings

Favorite TV Show
One Tree Hill

Favorite Actor
Will Ferrell

Favorite Actress
Jennifer Aniston

Favorite Music
Luke Bryan

Favorite Book
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Favorite Home-Cooked Meal
Grilled Chicken with Rice-A-Roni