Monte Qu, a senior at LFA, has established himself as the Player of the Month for his Varsity Hockey team and has garnered special accolades for his phenomenal skills, leadership, and dedication on ice. With all due gratitude for the special honor, Monte expressed his appreciation and humility in being recognized for his hard work. “I am extremely thankful to have been given this recognition; it is a reflection not only of my work but also those of my teammates and coaches,” he said.
Monte credits his success in the month to mental preparation and self-belief. “Being mentally prepared before games and even during them is the most crucial thing. Even after mistakes, I’ve learned to keep playing with confidence without getting affected,” he said. He notably showed this frame of mind during an instance where he won the high-pressure “one and done” shootout against Saint Viator. “It was quite an intense yet rewarding moment. It solidified my understanding of composure under pressure.”
Monte not only shows an objective performance with his hockey plays but also represents the senior on the team who mentors the younger players in making it an aware, guiding environment. His Varsity team player, fellow senior Santi Delgado, had perfect words for him as a leader. “Monte leads by example. Whether it is him tone up or him shouting encouragement for us in a tough game, he is always there to inspire the team,” said Santi.
Monte has his set of pre-game rituals in his mind built with an iron stance. “I make sure to eat healthy the night before and game day. I include stretches as part of my routine, and I sort of visualize plays to mentally prepare. And my pregame playlist really sets the mood for me,” he said.
Monte considers his ambitions for the rest of the season realistic yet profound, underlining the need to keep working relentlessly on his game so that the team achieves its maximum potential. “We are looking for a powerful finish this season, and I’ll be doing everything humanly possible to help,” he stated.
Monte recommends that younger aspiring hockey players should treat their practice with the same approach as in an actual game. “Don’t let it affect you even if it seems like the end of the world. It will be okay; just stay confident,” he said.
Monte’s hockey career has shown that he is hard-working and committed to excellence. His leadership and desire to shine will forever be remembered by his teammates and coaches. Throughout this evolution, Monte has worked hard for personal goals yet seems devoted equally to the overall success of the squad, a true reflection of an athlete and leader.
With strong senior leadership from such talents as Monte Qu and Santi Delgado, LFA’s Varsity Hockey team is well-poised for a memorable season. Their commitment to teamwork sends positive ripples that affect all players on and off the ice throughout the program.