Hockey shaped the life of Orange Lutheran senior Atticus Knutson long before he ever laced up his skates for the Lancers.
With Canadian parents and a father who has played the sport his entire life, Knutson found himself on the ice at an early age and developed his own love for the game.
"I love the physicality of it," says Knutson. "It's a super physical sport. There's a lot of training to go with it, so I put in the work, but it's always rewarding when you get a win or you score a goal."
Knutson plays right wing for OLu's Division 1 varsity team, and as such, he is a natural goal scorer. The three-year varsity player shares the same mission this season as his teammates: help the Lancers win the ADHSHL D1 title and make a return trip to the California state championship game. As a senior leader, his focus is on keeping morale high and making sure his teammates play with confidence.
"Atticus is the type of player every coach hopes to have," says OLu hockey head coach August Aiken. "He's responsible, hardworking and always puts the team first. His dependable nature and strong work ethic set the tone for everyone around him. Atticus leads by example both on and off the ice, and his commitment to excellence extends beyond the rink to the classroom. He embodies what it means to be a true student athlete at OLu."
Having played the sport for a number of years, Knutson understands the commitment hockey requires, including hours of practice on the ice and off-season training. He's drawn a number of life skills from the game that extend far beyond the rink.
"It's definitely taught me self-control," says Knutson of hockey. "It's also taught me hard work, and discipline for sure. Those are the main takeaways."
Playing hockey at OLu has been a defining part of Knutson's high school experience, and he takes great pride in competing for the Lancers on the ice.
"Orange Lutheran is a big part of my life, so to represent that school and to possibly win for that school means so much," says Knutson. "I'll definitely miss my teammates, the coaching staff and just being on the ice all the time."
Knutson credits his time at OLu and in the hockey program with shaping not only his skills on the ice but also his personal growth. He feels his experience as a Lancer has played a significant role in strengthening his faith and helping him develop a deeper sense of purpose.
"Ever since I started going to Orange Lutheran, it's brought faith closer to me," says Knutson. "Before every game, we're always praying to the Lord. We're asking him to keep us safe. It's definitely impacted how we play too, because we're playing in the eyes of the Lord."
When he's not at the rink, Knutson enjoys snowboarding, fishing and camping with his friends. He plans to attend the University of Utah where he hopes to continue playing hockey for the school's ACHA Division 1 team alongside studying finance or accounting.
Knutson is grateful for his support system, which includes his parents, his older brother and OLu hockey alum Harry Knutson '24, and his friends, for continually encouraging him and pushing him to be his best.
"My parents play a big role," says Knutson. "They're always coming to my games and making sure I'm doing all right…And my older brother, he's done everything I've done, so I totally look up to him and how he's been a great role model for me, guiding me on the right path…Also my friends. They've had a great influence on me and have made me who I am today."
