Melody Abady

Nelson Vickar (12) defends the goal for Ladue Hockey against Westminster High School Nov. 13. Nelson moved back to St. Louis from Long Island, New York in October and can now play Ladue Hockey. “I didn’t want to spend my senior year away from friends and family, especially if hockey wasn’t the right path for me.” Nelson said.

From living in New York to Wisconsin, hockey has moved Nelson Vickar (12) all around the United States. Beginning his hockey journey at age 6, Nelson stuck to the twists and turns of this path for 12 years. That was until he began to question whether this path was actually the one he wanted to follow.

Given that his dad played professionally, hockey always seemed like a logical path for Nelson. However, Nelson also experimented with other sports and hobbies as a kid.

“My parents wanted to make sure hockey was what I wanted to do and not just what my dad wanted me to do,” Nelson said. “He didn’t want me thinking that I had to play just because he did.”

However, Nelson gravitated to hockey as his skills improved. As the years went on, he began to realize where it could take him.

“I was 13 or 14 when I realized that it was a potential path for my life, not just a game,” Nelson said.

Nelson’s path became more clear during his season playing with the U16 St. Louis AAA Blues. Despite being younger than almost all other players, Nelson saved a stellar 93.7% of shots, putting him on the radar of scouts.

“I was one of the best goalies in the league at a younger age, and that’s when I got drafted to the [United States Hockey League (USHL)],” Nelson said.

Nelson was selected by the Madison Capitols with the 310th pick of the USHL draft, making him one of only seven goalies picked. Given that over 80% of USHL players go on to play Di-vision I hockey, it seemed likely to Nelson’s friend and teammate Miles Acree (12) that Nelson would follow this path.

“I thought he was for sure going to play college hockey, and maybe even go to the NHL,” Acree said. “But over time, it’s become clear that thats not what he wants.”

After spring break of his junior year, Nelson left his home and moved to Madison, Wisconsin. to play for the Capitols. Over time, this changed Nelson’s relationship with hockey.

“I started to put this pressure on myself,” Nelson said. “I would get super nervous before games. I even started to dread playing.”

After returning to St. Louis this summer, hockey led Nelson away from home again to Long Island, New York. While playing for the Junior Islanders in the National Collegiate Development Conference, Nelson began to ponder his future.

“I had to be mature and think about if this was really the path I wanted to follow,” Nelson said.

Deciding that hockey was no longer his path, Nelson departed from Long Island, New York. Nelson’s dad Aaron Vickar sees great maturity in Nelson’s decision.

“It’s hard to make that decision when you’ve been doing it for 12 out of 18 years,” Aaron said. “Deciding that this isn’t the path he wanted was a mature decision that a lot of adults would struggle to make.”

While Nelson decided against the path to play in college, he isn’t completely finished with hockey. Without any commitments to major hockey leagues, Nelson is able to again play for Ladue hockey, which he hasn’t played for since his freshman year.

“With Ladue hockey, I’m glad that hockey is finally fun again,” Nelson said. “It’s gone back to being a game instead of a job.”