100 goals and running: A feature on Caden Gleason

Amidst the chaos of bodies hitting the boards and sticks battering the ice, number 19 picks up the puck, skates towards the goal and scores. Fans look to the roster, pondering who they witnessed score.  They are surprised to find it is Northview student Caden Gleason, the only Wildcat on the Sparta Hockey team. 

Gleason is a junior at the high school and has been tearing it up on the ice. Gleason’s first passion was actually ice skating before hockey. He started learning how to skate when he was only two years old in his backyard rink. Hockey passion came quickly to him. 

“I started playing hockey when I was in first grade but learned to skate when I was young,” Gleason said. “I just fell in love with the game, there was nothing really that pushed me to do it. I just love playing it.” 

Gleason is a rookie on the Sparta Varsity hockey team, but played two years prior for the team hosted by Northview. Northviews athletic director  Pat Marsman decided to hand off the cooperative team we traditionally have hosted to Sparta due to low numbers of Wildcat hockey players, specifically one, the aforementioned Caden Gleason. Sparta is now in charge of setting up matches and getting rink times, but Northview athletes can still play. Gleason has been one of the top scorers in the state for two years now, and is ranked sixth for points and third for goals in the state. 

“I just scored my 100th point of my career during the Pink In The Rink tournament. It felt great, usually seniors make that achievement which is really hard. But I was lucky enough to do it in two years which is even harder to do,” Gleason said. 

Gleason’s efforts on and off the ice are recognized by his teammates such as Sparta junior James DeRidder. Gleason and DeRidder started playing together in seventh grade on their travel hockey team, and currently work in the same shift on the varsity team. 

“[I] love Gleason. He is a great player,” DeRidder said. “He’s a great teammate and is always positive.” 

While Gleason has found his passion with hockey, he also participates on the varsity baseball team and plays catcher. Though he dabbles in baseball, he focuses his efforts mainly on hockey. 

“I could be on the ice every day and not get tired of it, whereas baseball it’s different because if I had practices everyday I would be worn out,” said Gleason. “With hockey that just doesn’t happen, it’s my passion and I don’t get tired of it.”   

Most mornings Gleason can be found at the rink for morning skate practices as well as late at night helping Sparta head coach Kevin Bormes. Bormes appreciates Gleason’s dedication to the team and making himself a better player. 

“[Gleason] is a hard worker, he’s worked hard on taking responsibility in his role on the team and mentally maturing to be a good presence in the locker room,” said Bormes. 

With the regular season of conference play coming to a close, Gleason and his team hold a 22-3 winning record heading into the playoffs in hopes of a state title. Coach Bormes is confident in Gleason’s play and optimistic that they can achieve their championship goal.  

“[With] his good vision, shot and his ability to get his teammates opportunities to score, we have a good chance [of earning a state title],” Bormes said.