Overcoming Obstacles: Drew Hubbard Ready For Senior Season At Saint Ignatius

By Ross Forman
Drew Hubbard, a forward this past season for the Saint Ignatius Varsity Maroon team, endured hardships before his first slapshot for the school’s Academic Hockey League team.

He had surgery last June on his left knee to repair a fracture in his femur from osteochondritis dissecans that was treated by putting two metals screws in his knee. 

Hubbard was on crutches for about a month and originally told that he couldn’t go back to hockey for four to six months. “The recovery process of healing and getting stronger was longer and slower than I would’ve liked, especially after the season started; I couldn’t stand not being able to be on the ice with the team,” said Hubbard, who lives in Chicago.

“After a lot of physical therapy and rehab, I was able to get back on the ice at a non-contact level in October. What I didn’t realize was that since I hadn’t skated since the end of the previous season, it would take me a lot of time to get back to good form on the ice. Once I actually could play, I was in and out of the lineup, working as hard as I could and trying to get my game sense back and adapt to the new level of play, as I had been on JV (as a sophomore). After a bit of improvement, I ended up making the switch to play forward after the holiday break, as I had previously played defense, and this changed everything. 

“All of the sudden, I was having a ton of fun playing again and I got a lot of my confidence back. It took me a bit to adjust to the position, but once I did, I felt like I could be creative and aggressive, making things happen instead of trying not to mess up. In a sense, my switch to forward represented full recovery from my injury. The rest of the season I saw a lot of playing time and had some good success at my new position. 

“We ended up getting bounced early from the playoffs, and while I wish I could’ve done a bit more, I felt satisfied with all of the effort I had put into the team.”

Hubbard, 17, who skated for the Stallions through eighth grade, wears jersey No. 8, though not because of Alexander Ovechkin. “My slapshots (is) not good enough for that,” he joked.

Still, Hubbard earned the Most Improved Player award last season.

“It took a lot of hard work to get the strength back in my leg and to improve my game. I spent a lot of time with coaches before and after practices going through drills or film, but I didn’t see results right away. This is where I needed faith,” Hubbard said. “My Catholic faith plays a very important role in my life, and I really needed to lean on God in these moments where I was doing all that I could and wasn’t seeing any major improvements. I just had to trust that it would all pay off and keep doing what I was doing.

“I am motivated by how much of a blessing it is to play this game. I don’t take for granted any time that I get to put on the gear and step on the ice, and I am motivated by the gratitude I have for the opportunity to play. I think to go out there and not give all that I have would be an injustice to the gifts that I have been given.” 

Hubbard was the captain of the Ignatius JV team as a sophomore, a career highlight. “I learned a lot from that experience and really enjoyed leading that team,” he said.

Hubbard plays an aggressive, gritty game, always moving.

“Drew is not only a super hard worker, but also a great person,” said Grayson Rizzuti, who skated this past season for the top varsity at Ignatius. “He’s fought back from injuries and battled adversity. He’s one of the nicest people you’ll meet and drives everyone around him to work hard.”

Added Ignatius head coach Spencer Montgomery: “He’s inclusive; he’s kind and he does things the right way. He’s dependable and physical on the ice, a stay-home defenseman.

“I know he’s going to do amazing things; he’s just a team guy through and through, not an excuse guy.”

Hubbard played varsity golf for Ignatius last fall.

“I have always been a very competitive person and think that hockey brings that out,” he said. “Whether it be a scrimmage or a playoff game, I can’t stand losing. I think that this pushes me to be a better player as I channel this energy into getting better.

“Helping others is a huge part of what I was put here to do. Hockey is a big part of my life and I love it, but at the end of the day, it is just a game. I think I have a duty, no matter what I am doing, to help and love other people above all else.”

Slapshots With … Saint Ignatius Forward Drew Hubbard

One Moment: “I’ll never forget the game-tying goal I scored in the first round of the state playoffs last year against Barrington. Their fans packed this rink and we were dealing with the loud crowd all game. So, when I scored right in front of the fans on the glass in their end, it was definitely a satisfying moment.” 
Off-Ice: “I golf with my friends and family, and play competitively on my own or with my school. I also like to play the guitar, listen to music or go to concerts.” 
It Helps: “I like to bike a lot, whether it be on the lakefront in the warmer months or on (a) peloton when it is cold. That, combined with (weight) lifting, helps me stay in shape and get stronger for the season.” 
Superstitions on the Ice: “I do the same exact on-ice warm up and stretches in the same order every single time I get on the ice, be it practice or a game.” 
Long-term Career Goals: “To keep myself around the game as long as I can, in whatever form it may be.” 
Hockey: “I love the game so much; that feeling of stepping on the ice can’t really be found anywhere else.” 
Favorite Moment This Past Season: “When I finally was able to skate after the long recovery from surgery.”
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Players: Current, Frank Nazar; all time, Patrick Kane
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Moneyball
Favorite TV Show: Peaky Blinders
Motivational Song: We Will Rock You by Queen
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Stir fry chicken rice and vegetables
Favorite app: Real
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Jordan Spieth
Favorite HS uniform (other than Iggy): Glenbrook South (black)