Hockey has been the crutch Nathan Imrisek needed, his outlet for everything. Whether it was built-up anger, sadness, excitement, or even boredom, hockey was, and is, the answer for Imrisek.
Hockey, he said, “has taught me to overcome hardships and to cherish the good times.”
Every day on the ice is a pleasure, a day at the rink is a reason to smile for Imrisek.
“There have been so many good people who have stepped up to help me and my mom. The amount of love and help that we have received has been amazing and I am so grateful for all the people who care so much,” he said.
Nathan’s dad, Mike, who worked at Tellabs, died April 10, 2020 from stage 4 melanoma. “His death happened very quickly during the pandemic,” Nathan said. “I remember when my mom and I took him to the hospital … I wasn’t allowed inside. I had to sit in the car, and this was before I had a (cell) phone, so I just had to wait for something, anything to happen. I didn’t get any news for 30 minutes when my mom came to me crying. It took a long time for me to process what happened just because of how young I was and what was going on in the world at that time.”
Nathan said the death of his dad “drove me to better myself even more than before, to prove to people that I am, in fact, strong,” he said. “I wasn’t going to let his death dictate how I played. It affected my playing style a lot (in a positive manner), as I became more mindful and precise in my play.”
Mike always wore a bright orange hat to his son’s games – and everyone on Nathan’s teams knew him for that hat. “So, if anyone is wearing one at my games, I think of him,” Nathan said.
Fast-forward to the 2023-24 season. Nathan’s mom is Becky Imrisek who works as a teaching assistant for Indian Prairie School District 204. She was diagnosed with pancreatic and breast cancer in October 2023.
“We were going to a tournament in Buffalo and pulled over to get food in Ohio when we got the (diagnosis),” Nathan said. “She had a biopsy about a week before we left, and she just received the results. I remember the mass on her pancreas was ‘highly suspicious,’ but she was able to stay strong and she didn’t want that to affect my time in Buffalo.
“She is the strongest person I know, and I think that is why she has been able to (battle against) such a horrible disease.”
Imrisek added: “I’ve had to mature a lot and become the bigger person in so many situations. I often get told how mature I am and how well I’ve handled the situation. The same as it was with my dad, I always work to better myself and I play every game like it’s the last one she’ll ever see.”
Nathan Imrisek, who turns 15 in March and lives in Naperville, is a left-handed shooting defenseman for the Huskies 2010 Central States Team, where is an assistant captain. He also skated for the Neuqua Valley JV team this season and filled in a few games on the varsity, too. He is a freshman at Neuqua Valley High School and formerly skated for the Sabres and Team Illinois.
Imrisek is an offensive defenseman, not afraid to take a hit to make a play. He scored three times in one of the last Huskies’ games of the regular season. The team was experiencing issues getting the puck in the net and maintaining momentum. When Imrisek netted those goals, the momentum shifted in their direction.
“My dad was a huge influence on how I played because he was my biggest fan. Though my mom doesn’t understand the game, she will tell me how I played. Her honesty is one of her best qualities when it comes to my career. Even if I have a bad game, she’s the one to pick me up,” Imrisek said. “The start (of this season) was amazing; we started hot. But, as it progressed, we experienced a difficult slip. I think I’ve matured and progressed, though.”
His off-ice life has certainly weighed heavy on this teen for the past five years, yet Huskies hockey director Chad Green said Imrisek remains “a great kid,” despite the struggles. “He’s a wonderful kid and a very good hockey player.
Slapshots With … Huskies Defenseman Nathan Imrisek
Mental Approach: “Getting in the right mindset is important. On game days, I have the same routine; it makes me feel more comfortable and calmer about the game ahead.”
Hobbies: Fishing in the summer and playing video games year-round.
Long-term Career Goal: “Study electrical engineering in college like my dad (did) and to raise a son who plays hockey.”
Favorite NHL Teams: Chicago Blackhawks and Las Vegas Golden Knights
Favorite NHL Players: Duncan Keith (former) and Patrick Kane (current)
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Miracle
Favorite TV Show: Nailed It
Motivational Song: All of the Lights by Kanye West
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Spaghetti with meatballs
Favorite app: Snapchat
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Kendrick Lamar
Best Hockey Tip: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky
Jersey Number: 36, after his birthday (March 6)
Career highlight: “When my Huskies team (a) Buffalo tournament back-to-back seasons. That was special (winning) with almost the same people as the first year.”