Noah Cates: scoring his way to the top
Holland passes the puck to Cates. Cates’ skates graze across the ice as he spins around Hill-Murray’s defense man. The buzzer goes off sounding through out the arena. Junior Noah Cates made the goal, the crowd goes wild. Everyone is cheering him on. Cates is stormed by his teammates pulling him into a group hug. The whole arena is filled with excitement for the state games starting Feb. 2.
Noah not only made the winning goal against Hill that was featured on ESPN and also won ASPIRE athlete of the week and was drafted for the USHL.
This season alone Noah has made 24 goals and has assisted 39 goals. His success derives from years of practice and dedication to the sport.
“I have been playing hockey since I was four and I started skating when I was two,” Noah said.
Although Noah is a very humble person, he admits that he does not wish to play any position other than forward because he enjoys scoring goals for his team. He enjoys the attention that he gets after he scores the goals and he also wants the best for his team, which is winning every game they can.
“It is fun scoring goals, my favorite part of it is hearing the crowd erupt as the puck slides into the goal,” Noah said, his eyes lighting up.
The Tournament
With all the fame and attention Noah has been getting since his game winning goal went viral all over the internet and television, he had to maintain his focus on the Minnesota boys state hockey tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
“It is a lot of fun [the attention], but we have to focus on these games and winning them,” Noah said.
Noah was ecstatic about playing at the Xcel energy center and could not wait for the tournament to begin. Not many Stillwater players have gotten the chance to play there before, making it a once in a life time experience for many of the teams players.
“I feel good, It is going to be fun playing at the tourney and playing in front of 18,000 people,” Noah said. “It is going to be a fun and an unforgettable experience,” Noah added.
During the first game of the tournament against Farmington the morning of Feb. 2, Noah made one goal and assisted two goals. The Ponies won against Farmington 4-1 leading them to the semifinals that were held on Fri. night starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center.
“It was pretty crazy how the goal I made was on T.V, and in front of 18,000 people watching at the arena,” Cates said.
Even though the team had ample success this season with 28 wins, two losses and one tie game, they did not make it past the semifinals, losing 2-1 against Wayzata. The team was disappointed about the loss but kept their heads high and bragged about their Xcel experience.
“It was not fun losing, but we can take this as an opportunity to learn from it and use it as experience for next year,” Cates said.
ASPIRE
As mentioned before, Noah had been getting plenty of attention, but not only for his winning goal against Hill, which he felt very great about doing, but for winning ASPIRE athlete of the week. To even be nominated to be a semifinalist, the person must have to demonstrate greatness in four areas: athletics, academics, community involvement and character. They choose three semifinalists each week and the finalist is determined by online voting from community members.
“I was honored to have the opportunity and very thankful for the votes from everyone in Stillwater,” Noah said. “I feel like I got it because of my hard work, the team success and great teammates,”
Noah has made several great memories over his years of playing and has created some great stories with his teammates, or long time friends over the years as well on and off the ice. Many of the players on the team have known each other since they were playing on the PeeWee and squirt teams together.
“I would say playing in a mall in Edmonton with a glass ceiling where a lot of NHL players played when they were younger, is my favorite story so far. Playing at the X this weekend will be my favorite story when we play there,” Noah said.
“A story that me and Noah like to laugh at is about the time when, we first met. It was at squirt tryouts and I was sitting on the bench and I was thinking “I can not believe that I am sitting next to the Noah Cates,” even then he was hard working. I guess during those try outs we just became friends and have been ever since, we are about seven maybe,” junior Luke Manning added, a smile never leaving his face.
“One of my favorite stories is playing on the same line then going to state together this year,” senior Jackson Cates said.
Hockey; a family affair
Noah is not the only hockey player in his family, his older brother senior, Jackson is an avid player, both of the Cates boys have been drafted for the USHL. Noah and Jackson both have played together on the varsity team for the past two years and have been the top two scorers on the team as well. The two are a dynamic duo, together they have made goals and have assisted goals this season. The two are close on and off the ice.
“It is very fun playing with him, we always talk about it [hockey] and try to get better,” Noah said.
“I enjoy it a lot, it is fun because we have been playing together for about 10 years now and we have pretty good chemistry together on the ice,” Jackson said with a smile spread across his face.
Hockey has become basically another member of the Cates family. Not only are the young Cates brothers hockey fanatics, but the older Cates brothers are too. Their dad, Jeffrey Cates and their uncle Jay Cates both played in the USHL in college. Growing up, life has always revolved around hockey. They basically ate, slept and breathed hockey, but the Cates boys do not mind because they could not imagine their lives without the sport. The family is very proud of Noah and are happy for his success.
“It is pretty awesome. I am happy for him, it is exciting to see his hard work pay off,” Jackson said.
The beginning of lasting friendships
With hockey being such a major part of Noah’s life, he has made many friendships and has learned many new things that he will take with him forever.
“I have learned that practice is very important in anything you do and that teamwork is the most effective way to overcome a challenge,” Noah said.
His friends are very supportive of his success and are very proud teammates. Words that they used to describe him were: hard working, determined, fun to be around and someone you can count on to always have your back.
“It is a big step for him, he definitely deserves it. He is the hardest working kid on the team,” Manning said.
Although, hockey is basically second nature for Noah, he enjoys doing other things in his down time. Now that the season is finally over he can now put his focus towards the other sports that he plays.
“When I am not playing hockey I like to hangout with friends and play other sports,” Noah said. “Besides hockey I like to play basketball, golf and tennis during the summer,” Cates added.
Noah has set many hockey-related goals for himself that do not involve actually scoring. His first goal would be becoming team capatin next year. He also has some very big goals and ambitions for himself regarding his future hockey career.
“It is a goal that I have for myself to continue playing hockey in college,” Cates said. “It would be a dream come true to play in the NHL,”
What keep Noah inspired the most he said were the younger Stillwater players. Hockey has been a major role in Noah’s life and hopes to continue playing for a while after his high school career has ended.
“I have always loved playing hockey, it is a time to be with your friends, and playing together,” Noah said.
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