The Waddell household is the home of hockey. Two brothers, senior Quinn Waddell and freshman Chase Waddell, both take to the ice, inspired by their older brothers. They have been playing since they were very young, practicing with an experienced coach — their dad Brian Waddell. Hockey isn’t only fun to them, it has formed good friendships and memories throughout their years playing. 

Quinn Waddell is on the varsity hockey team. Playing hockey for the majority of his life, he has become dedicated to the sport over time. 

“I’ve played hockey since I was five. I like high school hockey because all the boys go to the same school as you, so you can see them during and after school. It’s a good way to make in and out-of-school friendships,” Quinn Waddell said.

Although friendships have made a large impact on Quinn Waddell, family is important to him too. He faced some challenges over the last season, and his family motivated him to get right back into the sport. 

“Last year, I broke my wrist halfway through the season, [and] that set me back a little. My older brothers, [who] inspired me to play hockey, inspired me to keep going,” Quinn Waddell said.

Family is important to Quinn Waddell, but he isn’t the only Waddell who was inspired by his older brothers. Chase Waddell looks up to Quinn Waddell similar to how Quinn Waddell looks up to his older brothers. However, when it comes to such competitive brothers, there are lots of family contests. 

“I have always been competitive, so I wanted to be better than Quinn [Waddell] at everything, including hockey. Most of my family plays hockey [as well], so I want to be better than all of them too,” Chase Waddell said.

Despite the competition between them, hockey still creates memorable moments that they all cherish. Chase Waddell recalls many hockey-related memories because of his family’s shared interest in the sport.

“Families are a big part of our lives. I remember when Quinn [Waddell] and I were younger, we froze a little pond in the backyard. We would go skating on it during the cold winter days. That’s a nice memory,” Chase Waddell said.

Their father, Brian Waddell, coaches the varsity hockey team. Both his kids and other players he coaches have inspired him to always be the best coach he can be.

“My inspiration comes from not just my own kids but the other players I coach. Each player has their own personality. Having [a] difference in attitudes, passions, humor and personalities always inspires me to be a better coach and father figure for our Parkway West hockey family,” Brian Waddell said.

But beyond a love for hockey, Brian Waddell loves coaching his kids for a much deeper reason than most would expect.

“All parents miss the activities with their kids when they grow out of youth sports. When it’s all over, most parents wish to have that time back if they did not have the chance to be involved,” Brian Waddell said.

Both of the Waddell brothers said hockey has taught them many lessons that they use in their sport as well as daily life. 

“Hockey definitely taught me to stand up for myself when I’m playing [and] getting pushed around all the time, or just in general,” Quinn Waddell said. 

Brian Waddell explained how Quinn Waddell has been an amazing role model to his younger brother and his teammates. 

“Quinn has developed into a strong leader and role model for his younger brother, as well as all his other teammates,” Brian Waddell said. “It is nice that Quinn has had success on the ice with goals, assists and points, but our team goals have always been the priority.”