Redhawks captain leads hockey team to Nationals

Senior and Redhawks captain Nadia Bellabarba skates across the ice, evading opponents and leading her and her teammates to Nationals. (Courtesy of Carlo Bellabarba)

Senior Nadia Bellabarba’s teammates swiftly pass the puck between the players defending the Redhawks goal, advancing into the offensive zone. Bellabarba receives the puck and sends a precise pass to the players whose main job is to score. They then exchange quick passes, confusing their opponents. In a flash, they send the puck flying into the goal, securing the score 1-0. This is the team’s most advantageous strategy and what led to the Redhawks winning Districts. 

The Redhawks defeated the Alaska All Stars 1-0 at Districts, moving towards Nationals because West Coast club hockey teams don’t go to State due to there not being enough hockey teams. The Redhawks competing at Nationals is a very exciting and special moment for captain Bellabarba. 

“I was part of a team two years ago that won Nationals and that was also my first year playing high level competitive hockey,” Bellabarba said, “so it kind of has a special place in my heart… It really makes it feel like all the hard work that you do over the season, all the smiles, all the tears are worth it.”

Bellabarba feels like she’s responsible for getting the team’s spirits up before a game in order for the team to perform their best during each game. 

“I’m kind of tasked with hyping up the team and bringing a lot of energy…in addition to leading by example as a senior and just a more experienced player,” Bellabarba said. “We are all good players but in order for people to play to their full potential, they need to be filled with a lot of energy.” 

Bellabarba gets the team hyped up by using music to break the nervous tension before each game, in addition to giving people advice throughout the periods of the game. She also gives pep talks to her teammates as well as cheering them on to get the energy flowing.

“Just before we get on the ice, I have a ritual where I just go around the locker room singing whatever song we’re playing,” Bellabarba said. “Hockey is a game where you have to have a lot of energy to keep momentum.”

Similar to how they get energized with music, Bellabarba’s team uses the song “FEIN” by Travis Scott as an abbreviation for the team’s attitude heading into the game. 

Bellabarba’s dad gives her motivation for how hard she tries in each hockey game she competes in. 

“[I’m] playing for my dad, really, because he played hockey when he was young,” Bellabarba said. “He was a goalie in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and he’s put in so much time, money, effort and care into me playing hockey too. I really want to do it all for him and I just want to make him proud.”

Bellabarba also mentions how much the team cares for each other and how it gives the team an advantage over teams that aren’t as close with each other. 

“The biggest thing about us is that we all just love each other so much,” Bellabarba said. “I think this is the best team chemistry I’ve ever seen. The coaches agree, the parents agree. As long as we’re a united front, there’s really nothing that can stop us.”