Hockey preps their leaders
By: Kenna Cook
Chris Videto started his fourth season playing hockey for the Aggies this year.
Before his time at Utah State, Videto was a defensive player who then moved up to winger. Now that he’s here, he owns being a center.
“I do like playing center,” Videto said. “I get to take the face-off. I love taking face-offs especially when I’m beating people a lot. It makes me feel better.”
Although hockey is almost a lifestyle, Videto came to USU wanting to be a student first while having fun doing what he loves on the side. Videto got interested in hockey by playing roller hockey, and then his coach told him to try out for his ice hockey team.
“I think I was 9 years old and I’ve just been playing since,” Videto said.
In just this last season and a half, Videto has conjured up 25 assists and 19 goals, four of which were game-winning goals. Videto said that he has so many assists because he works well with linemate Ian Beckstrom.
“We always seem to find each other,” Videto said. “He’s always able to put the puck in the net when I get it to him, so he helps me out in that regard.”
Having a strong support system is very important to Videto. Because he grew up thousands of miles from the rest of his family, his relationship with his parents and their support is vital. While his parents are in his hometown in Spanaway, Washington, Videto has 28 “brothers” here to call family. He said it’s good and bad sometimes.
“You know, you get in arguments and stuff, but in the end you’re all a family and everyone loves each other,” Videto Said. “But I don’t think anyone in particular is closer than the whole team. I think we’re just one big, really close family.”
Videto said he likes hockey because it’s so fast-paced and intense. It doesn’t have dull moments — it’s read and react. You have to think a lot on the ice and know where to be.
“There’s just something about it that brings you back every time,” Videto said. “You get the itch to go out on the ice.”
Transfer student Alex Herman has the same feelings about the sport.
“It’s just the feeling I get when I’m on the ice. It’s hard to describe,” Herman said. “I only get that feeling on the ice. It’s like addicting. It’s the love.”
Herman said he believes Videto will be a good team leader during the next year.
“I think he’s got the right criteria for the job,” Herman said. “He’s definitely a good candidate for it. On the ice he’s easy to play with. He’s a good, hardworking, skilled guy.”
When his time at Utah State comes to an end, Videto wants to be in the marketing department for a sports company such as Nike. He says that after he’s gone, he trusts his teammates Chris Cutshall or Herman to take his place on the team. Videto said they have been critical to the team this season.
“Cutshall, he’s just been a menace out there. Pretty much when we need him to do something, he gets out there and makes something happen,” Videto said. “And Herman, he’s been putting the puck in the net a lot and he’s just played really well defensively.”
This is Herman’s first semester at Utah State. From Montana, he attended Dakota College of Bottineau in North Dakota before transferring and becoming a Aggie.
Herman started skating when he was about 2 years old. He used to go to the rink and watch his older brother skate.
“I just wanted to do that,” Herman said.
Herman said that his main goal is to play every game of the season. So far he’s on the right track. In just this season, Herman has 10 goals and 13 assists to his name. Left wing is Herman’s favorite position to play because he’s left-handed. He said being on his forehand when USU breaks out of the zone makes it harder to screw up.
His family has played hockey for the last couple decades, so he likes to play to keep that tradition going.
“Also, because it’s the only sport I’m alright at,” Herman said.
Herman wants to lead the team at some point. He has been a captain on every team he’s played on and hopes that he’ll be looked at as a leader on the ice in his next couple years here.
Utah State’s hockey team is ready for a leader that has what Videto and Herman both bring — that indescribable “something,” the addicting itch to be on the ice and love of the sport.
— kenna.cook@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @kennaacook