With a winless regular season, Barrington senior center Nathan Galvan found solace off the ice, but still within the game. The 18-year-old Barrington resident took photos or ran a video camera at select Scholastic Hockey League (SHL) games this season, mostly involving Stevenson and Carmel Catholic, featuring players he formerly teamed with during his years skating for the Ice Dogs in Vernon Hills.
Galvan’s handy work with a camera “definitely helped” his play in his third and final season skating for the Broncos’ varsity, despite the team’s 0-21-3 record in the IHSHL North-Central regular season and 0-6 in the playoffs.
However, Barrington defeated Marmion 3-2 in overtime of an Illinois High School Hockey State Tournament game in February, but then the Broncos were dismantled 9-1 by No. 1-ranked New Trier Green.
Galvan, who also formerly skated for the Crystal Lake Yellow Jackets, had 2 goals and 3 assists in 23 league games. The left-handed shooting center primarily skated this season with
JJ Kania and Lukas Babka – and Galvan models his game after Jason Dickinson, a top-five scorer for the Chicago Blackhawks this season. Galvan praised Libor Ustrnul for improving his game over the years. Ustrnul is a former defenseman and Calder Cup Champion with the Chicago Wolves and an NHL draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers – and is now the head coach for the co-op Ice Cats.
“I regret some games this season, but I look back and give myself a pat-on-the-back and say I gave it everything I had,” said Galvan, who singled out a goal he scored last November against Deerfield, particularly “because of the reaction the bench.”
He said his senior season will be remembered as “challenging.”
To stay positive and upbeat, Barrington often tried to go out as s team, he said.
Galvan said the club’s freshmen and first-year varsity skaters “have definitely showed potential” to improve next season. “They look ready to step into those big moments,” he added.
Galvan is not sure of his college plans, though he is leaning toward attending Northern Michigan University to major in social media management.
Slapshots With … Barrington Center Nathan Galvan
Favorite Memory This Season: “Going to Michigan for a tournament and rooming with my best friend.”
Best Game of Your Barrington Career: “Beating New Trier Green.”
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Player: Tage Thompson
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle on Ice
Favorite TV Show: Family Guy
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Angel Hair Spaghetti
Favorite app: Instagram
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Kayne West
Best Hockey Tip: “Get the puck out of the zone.” – Coach Libor Ustrnul.
Hardest Slapshot on Barrington: Mark Scavo
Most Accurate Shot: Grahme Valskis
Teammate Who You Could See As A Hockey Coach: Jake Giacomin
Best High School Uniforms (other than Barrington): Lake Forest