Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Jack Hirschtritt, New Trier Green hockey

Jack Hirschtritt is a senior forward for New Trier Green. Hirschtritt led the Scholastic Hockey League in scoring and was the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois player of the year.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

My pregame ritual was before every game I’d always go to Potbelly and get a turkey sandwich with our goalie, Max Reed, and stop at the Waterway gas station to get a drink. Then I’d always stretch in the same spot for the last three years (on the hash marks to the left of the faceoff dot near the boards).

2. What are you doing next year?

Next year, I’m going to Vanderbilt to study economics and probably play club hockey there. The high level of academics and Nashville is such a fun city. I’m really excited.

3. What is your favorite thing to do off the ice?

I love to golf. I’ve been golfing since I was little. Me and my little brother always golf together. The hockey team does too. When we go to Arizona, we have a golf tournament.

4. What is your dream job?

Probably a Formula 1 race-car driver. I love cars, and I think it would be the coolest thing ever — being able to travel the world and being the absolute best at something. It looks super fun.

5. If you could play another sport, what would it be?

Probably football. Besides hockey, football is my favorite sport, especially to watch. I’m a huge Chicago Bears fan. My dad has season tickets and we go to a lot of games.

6. What is your first memory of hockey?

The Centennial ice rink in Wilmette, doing father and son learn-to-skates. My dad never played hockey so when I was learning to play, he was learning to skate. That is my earliest memory.

7. What is your top hockey highlight?

Of this season at least, my highlight moment — other than winning a state championship last year — was when I had an assist in Game 3 of the SHL playoffs against Loyola. It was a super packed game, thousands of people from both schools. There was a lot on the line. I had a diving assist. It was sensational and surreal to have that pass completed. I was diving and chipped it over a defenseman backdoor. That play was my personal highlight.

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I’m actually known for this with my friends and the team. I am a huge Arnold Palmer, Arizona guy. I always get one of those. And I’ve really been into Haribo Twin Snakes gummies and then always some spearmint gum, always Extra, and then a bag of nacho cheese Doritos.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

One thing people don’t know is probably that I play the guitar. I’m self taught. I’ve been playing for three years now. I’m actually pretty good. Not a lot of people know that.

10. What is New Trier hockey all about?

It’s really about the bond and connections you make with not only your teammates, but with coaches and even the families of other kids on your team. Seeing the same people every day builds long lasting friendships, and every time you go out on the ice you want to play not just for the team, but you want to work your hardest for the coaches and the families too. It’s such a great experience and that is how New Trier has been so successful.

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